Essential SELF-DRIVE In THE BALTICS: LITHUANIA, LATVIA AND ESTONIA
White Glove Self-Drive Programs Include: *A pre-programmed GPS system for you to use while in Europe. Every pre-planned sight will be programmed into the GPS. Just click and go! *24-hour local help line, available to you as you travel and manned exclusively by Exeter local staff. *Our expert advice in finding the perfect car for your trip. Your car will be waiting for you to pick up locally and we ll show you exactly where to return it when you are finished. *The freedom to deviate and explore on your own and then jump back into your planned itinerary at any time. Itinerary at a glance: Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13 Day 14 Arrival into Vilnius Vilnius Sightseeing Vilnius at Leisure Vilnius -- Klaipeda Klaipeda at Leisure Klaipeda Riga Riga Sightseeing Riga at Leisure Riga Gauja National Park Gauja National Park -- Muhu Island Muhu Island at Leisure Muhu Island -- Tallinn Tallinn Departure from Tallinn
Why Exeter International? At Exeter International we have been creating memories and crafting our trademark extraordinary journeys to Central Europe, Russia, Scandinavia, and Central Asia for 25 years. Our specialty is to distill the best of the best in iconic places that are on so many people s travel must-do list. We are not a call center of nameless, faceless people. We do not try to be everything to everyone. We are a small team of specialists. We are all committed to providing the best travel experiences to our destinations. Each member of our team has travelled extensively throughout our destinations, giving them insider knowledge lacking in many other tour operators. Our Extraordinary Experiences are different, unusual, and often closed to the general public. We can offer special insider access that takes you beyond the typical tourist sites. We know how important it is to remain authentic and increasingly going beyond the well-known sites is what is important to our guests discovering the little-known museum or street market that adds to their experience. We do this through our local knowledge, cultivating our extensive contacts and regularly visiting each destination to enable us to share the most up-to-date insider information with you, our valued partner. The most important part of your trip will be your guides. Guides come in many quality levels, especially in our part of the world. We have worked with a core group of the best of the best for over 20 years. We know them like family and if they weren't the best, they wouldn't work for us. Simply stated, a guide can make or break your experience. You should have 100% confidence in who is introducing you to your guide and the level of guiding that you are going to get throughout the countries you will be visiting. The best does indeed cost more and we pay our guides at the very top of the market, with pride. You'll also want to know what kind of vehicle your tour will include. We use luxury late-model vehicles, often Mercedes, Audi, BMW, or Volkswagen, depending on the size of the vehicle you need. You'll want to see things that may or may not be open to the public and go in early or after hours before the crowds whenever possible. We also make every effort to skip lines whenever possible. Avoiding long museum lines is one of our top priorities and we work hard to minimize the wait time to get into the most popular sights in each city, maximizing your time in each destination. You'll want impeccable planning and someone to bounce ideas off of before your trip and speak English as well as you do while planning your trip so there are no cultural misunderstandings when you arrive. You'll also want someone to talk to if your trip is not perfect when you get home. These are all ways that we distinguish ourselves from all other companies. A lot goes into our travel program design. We arrange the program so that it is flawless and effortless for our travelers from the time they set foot in the first city until they leave us. The expertise to set up an itinerary like this comes after years of investing in staff on both sides of the Atlantic, and this too is a value that is incorporated into our traveler's trips with us.
DAY 1 Arrival in Vilnius Arrival to Vilnius airport where you will be met by your Exeter International driver to transfer you to your hotel in the historic center of the city. Your hotel is the finest in Vilnius, the Kempinski Cathedral Square, recently opened in the center of the city and within walking distance of all the major sights. Please note that no airfare is included in your trip cost. Vilnius Old Town boasts outstanding architectural diversity in one of the largest and best-preserved old towns in Europe. This UNESCO World Heritage site is filled with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces. Narrow medieval streets, secluded courtyards, town castles and fortifications and an incredible number of churches reflect the city s rich and vibrant history. This afternoon, you will meet your Exeter guide in the lobby of your hotel for an overview waking tour of Vilnius Old Town. You will visit Gediminas Castle Museum, the Cathedral Square and the Vilnius Cathedral and the Royal Palace. You will return to your hotel for an evening at your leisure. Special Note: All touring today is on foot and you will largely be in pedestrian only areas. Please wear comfortable footwear. Transfer; Half-Day Guide (4 Hours) Kempinski Cathedral Square
DAY 2 Vilnius This morning your guide will continue your walking tour of Vilnius Old Town with you. If you are interested, you can visit the Amber Gallery and Museum which explains the origins and history of this precious material and exhibits amber of various sizes, forms and color. Exhibitions of works of art from amber are constantly held at the museum s gallery. Amber jewelry of modern and classical design is available for purchase as well. A tour of the Old Town is not complete without a visit to Vilnius University, founded in 1570 by Jesuits and one of the most important centers of the Counter-Reformation. The observatory tower dates back to 1569 and the library contains nearly 5 million volumes, making it the richest collection of Lithuanian books and one of the best-known libraries in Eastern Europe. Also in the Old Town, you will see the Presidential Palace, which has been the official seat of Lithuania s President since 1997. A flag displaying the coat of arms of the President is hoisted when the President is in the Palace and in Vilnius. You will also see the Gothic St. Anne s Church, which was originally built for the Catholic Germans and other visiting Catholics. The present brick church was constructed in the late 15th century at its exterior has remained almost unchanged since then. St. Anne's Church is part of a complex including the much larger Gothic Church of St. Francis and a monastery. This afternoon meet your driver for a visit to the moving Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights, which was opened in 1992 in the former KGB headquarters. The museum is the only one of its kind in the former Soviet republics. The execution chamber in the basement, where more than a thousand prisoners were killed between 1944 and the early 1960s, can also be visited. The Museum stirred a bit of controversy by renaming itself somewhat misleadingly a Museum of Genocide Victims (it does not include much about the Holocaust.) Finally, you will visit the Renaissance Palace of the Radziwills, who were for centuries one of the most influential and powerful Polish-Lithuanian princely families. The current building was erected in the middle of the 17th century but was partially destroyed in the following wars and remained mostly neglected for centuries. It was further devastated during World War I when only the northern wing of the palace survived. It was restored in the 1980s and is now a branch of the Lithuanian Art Museum. Return to hotel and enjoy at evening at leisure.
Special Note: Some touring today is on foot and you will largely be in pedestrian only areas. Please wear comfortable footwear. If you are tired at any time, your guide can arrange for taxi service on the spot and you can pay locally. Half-Day Vehicle & Driver (4 Hours); Full-Day Guide (8 Hours) Kempinski Cathedral Square
DAY 3 Vilnius At Leisure This morning you will pick up your rental car from the downtown location near your hotel. Today is the perfect opportunity to explore some of the locations around Vilnius. Please note the cost of the rental car is not included. Rental costs are based on your individual vehicle needs. We suggest stopping in Trakai, about 20 miles west of the city. Trakai, the ancient capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, is situated amidst picturesque lakes, the largest of which Galve - has over 20 islands. It is best known for its captivating 14th Century fairytale castle which was presumably one of the largest in Lithuania of those times and served as residence for a number of Lithuanian rulers before the insular castle was constructed a short distance away on an island of Lake Galve. The Castle Museum offers a view into Lithuania s past, when Trakai ruled an empire from the Baltics to the Black Sea. The Tartars, once part of this empire s royal bodyguards, still live in Trakai today. Trakai was also home to a large Karaite community. The origin of the Karaites is very interesting. Some scholars link them to the Khazars, Turkic people that converted to Judaism in the eighth century while others view them as descendants of the Karaite Jews who lived in Crimea. They were brought to Lithuania by Grand Duke Vytautas from the Crimea and served as his bodyguards. Today you may visit the Karaites' house of worship, called kenesa, and a museum of Karaite culture. After you tour Trakai, we suggest you stop at the city of Paneriai, which was once a quiet small suburb before being turned into a mass-murder site by the Nazis in World War II. Nowadays, the entrance to the Paneriai memorial complex is marked by three stone slabs with inscriptions in Russian, Lithuanian and Hebrew honoring the memory of the hundred thousand who perished here. None (Self-drive) Kempinski Cathedral Square
DAY 4 Vilnius --- Klaipeda Today you will make your way towards Klaipeda. On the way you may wish to stop in the town of Kaunas. Arrive into Klaipeda this afternoon where you will meet your guide for an introductory walking tour of the town. You will see the Castle Museum and walk to the Drama Theatre Square with a famous sculpture of Annchen von Tharau. If you are interested your guide will also take you to the Blacksmith Museum or the Clock Museum. Finnish your tour with a leisurely stroll through the wonderful Mazvydas Sculpture Park. Klaipeda Guide (3 Hours) Michaelson
DAY 5 Klaipeda At Leisure Today we recommend that you drive to visit Neringa National Park at the Curonian Spit with the help of your preprogrammed Exeter GPS. First you will board a ferry that will take you and the car to across the strait. Curonian Spit, a UNESCO listed 60 miles long peninsula, features dramatic white sand dunes and beautiful pine forests. Besides climbing sand dunes for beautiful views, you may wish to visit the Hill of Witches and the Amber Gallery in Juodkrante or perhaps the Thomas Mann house in Nida, where the famous German writer once vacationed. In the evening, return to Klaipeda. No Services (Self-Drive) Michaelson
DAY 6 Klaipeda-Palanga-Ljepaja-Ventspils-Riga Today, check-out of your hotel and continue your journey into neighboring Latvia. Before you cross the border, we recommend that you stop in Palanga, just a short drive north of Klaipeda, and enjoy its beautiful sandy beaches. You may also want to visit the local Amber Museum in the Palace of Count Tyszkiewicz. If you haven t realized it, you are in the amber capital of the world! If you are interested you can drive up the coast and stop to visit Latvia s richest town and port of Ventspils and visit its expertly renovated Old Town. Alternatively, take the highway from Liepaja straight to Riga. Late afternoon or evening arrival into Riga and check-in at the charming Grand Palace in Riga. No Services (Self-Drive) Grand Palace
DAY 7 Riga This morning, your Riga guide will meet you in the lobby for a walking tour of Old Town Riga. You will visit the 13th century St. Peter s Church, which was damaged by fire during World War II and later (ironically) rebuilt by the Soviets. A good place to start any tour is atop the church s spire, where you can see the whole of Riga laid out before you. This is the perfect way to get your bearings before you wander down the cobble-stoned streets. From here you may see the exterior of the Dome Cathedral one of the largest and most distinctive houses of worship in the region. After, you will view the famous House of Cats with cat sculptures perched on the top of its roof and hear about the intrigue surrounding these feline figures. Just across the street, you will also see the former headquarters of the Great Guild, now the home of the Riga Philharmonic. Other good examples of medieval dwellings are in this neighborhood, including the Three Brothers building, dating to the 15th century. Continuing your tour of the Old Town, you will see the Riga Castle (Rigas pils) In 1938, the Latvian government declared the castle its official residence and today it houses the residence of the President, as well as two museums - the Museum of Latvian History and the Museum of Foreign Art. In the afternoon meet your driver, we suggest visiting Riga s Central District. Not far away from the Old Town, you can stop by the Freedom Monument - a memorial honoring the soldiers killed during the Latvian War of Independence from 1918-1920. Later you will visit the Latvian National Art Museum, which houses more than 52,000 works of art reflecting the development of the arts in Latvia from the middle of the 18th century until the present. It also features Russian art from the 16th to the first half of the 20th century. The area around Elizabetes and Alberta Streets is known as Riga s Art Nouveau (or Jugendstil) District, which features impressive examples of the style. In total, there are some 800 Art Nouveau buildings in Riga, many of which were designed and built by Latvian architects including Mikhail Eisenstein. Time permitting you may wish to see the Riga Central Market or the Bergs Bazaar. Guide (8 Hours); Vehicle & Driver (4 Hours) Grand Palace
DAY 8 Riga-Rundale-Riga Today we recommend that you drive to the elegant 17th century Rundale Palace, located a short distance outside of the city. Rundale Palace was designed by the famous architect (and Catherine the Great s favorite) Rastrelli as a summer residence for the Duke of Courland and is an exquisite masterpiece of symmetry and beauty. The palace was built from 1736-1740 and the Rococo interior decorations were added from 1765-1768. The parade rooms, the duke's private apartments and the duchess' boudoir are open to visitors. You may wish to have lunch at the restaurant located inside the palace today. The cost of lunch is not included in your trip. Return to Riga s Old Town Center or back to your hotel. You will have the rest of the evening at leisure. Note: It is possible to arrange a privately led tour of the palace. This is not included in the price, please inquire for details. No Services (Self-Drive) Grand Palace
DAY 9 Riga-Gauja National Park Today you will leave the capital of Latvia behind and make your way towards Gauja National Park. We suggest leaving early so you have time to explore the sights in the area, including Sigulda Castle, Cēsis Castle, and Turaida Castle. We can also arrange a private wine tasting in a traditional sandstone wine cave, a wood carving workshop, or a tour a former Soviet Bunker. Check into your hotel this evening and enjoy the ambiance of staying in a real castle. Your stay provides complimentary access to the castle s expansive grounds. This area of Latvia provides a number of sights and activities, the perfect place to spend an extra night or two if time allows. No Services (Self-Drive) Birini Castle
DAY 10 Riga-Parnu-Muhu Island Today check out of your hotel and continue your trip by driving to neighboring Estonia. Drive north along the coast to Parnu, where you may wish to stop for a lunch break. Parnu is Estonia s main summer resort but has the laid back atmosphere of a small charming town. During Soviet times it was a popular spa escape for the Russians and is now gaining popularity among Scandinavians. You can stroll through the Old Town or on the beach, or, if you like modern art, you should not miss Parnu s Museum of New Art. Continue your drive to Muhu Island. To get there you will drive to the town of Virtsu to board a ferry that will take you to the Island (full instructions will be given to you and your Exeter GPS will take you right where you need to go!). Then drive to the village of Pädaste and check-in at the wonderful Pädaste Manor, your home for the next two nights. No Services (Self-Drive) Pädaste Manor
DAY 11 Muhu Island Today enjoy at leisure in the beautiful nature of the Muhu Island. The hotel has bicycles for your use and many other activities in and around the resort. Alternatively, you may explore the neighboring islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. Hiiumaa is home to several Nature Preserves, ideal for hiking and bird watching, while Saaremaa is especially attractive for retaining its prewar character. You should visit the Bishop s Castle in Kurresaare, the main town on Saaremaa, that dates back to the 14th century. A half-hour drive from Kurresaare you will encounter a group of beautifully preserved wooden windmills and the medieval Karja Church. No Services Pädaste Manor
DAY 12 Muhu Island-Tallinn Today, check out of your hotel and drive to Estonia s capital, Tallinn. Tallinn has a unique history of seafaring, foreign occupation and merchant activity dating to the 13th century. A beautiful city of ancient castles, stone towers, and medieval streets, its ageless charm is unmistakable. Return your rental car in Tallinn and check in at your hotel and enjoy the evening at your leisure. No Services (Self-Drive) Telegraaf
DAY 13 Tallinn This morning meet your guide in the hotel lobby for a walking tour. The Upper Old City or Toompea Hill, is the oldest part of Tallinn, inhabited since pre-history. Unlike Vilnius and Riga whose walls were destroyed, eighty percent of the original wall around Tallinn in the 1500 s is still intact today. In addition to having Tallinn s oldest buildings, the upper old town has good viewing platforms to view the entire old town. Toompea Castle is one of Estonia s most treasured landmarks, built by Danes and Germans after they defeated the Estonians in the early 1200 s. At the foot of the hill, you will see the St. Nicholas Church, which was originally built in the 13th century by German merchants and dedicated to the patron saint of sailors and merchants. It was partially destroyed when the Soviet air force bombed the city in World War II. After extensive restorations it is now used as an art museum and concert hall. In the afternoon, your guide will take you to the Kadriorg Park and Palace outside of the Old Town. Construction on this lovely palace was begun by Peter the Great in 1718 and was originally called Ekaterinenthal in honor of his wife, Catherine I. The humble cottage where Peter the Great stayed during his visits to Tallinn before the Kadriorg Palace was complete now houses a small museum displaying a few items from the emperor's life, as well as some early 18th-century furnishings. Kadriorg Palace now houses the National Gallery of Art and its collection of Western European, Oriental, and Russian art. You may choose to visit the museum or just enjoy the lovely gardens and grounds. Afterwards, you may decide to continue to the KUMU art museum Estonia s largest. Opened in 2006 in an enormous, cutting-edge facility built into a limestone cliff in Kadriorg, the KUMU exhibits works from Estonian artists dating from the 18th century through the end of World War II, as well as a permanent exhibition of Estonian contemporary art dating from 1945-1991. The collection located on the third floor portrays the interesting relationship that existed between the art in Estonia and the Soviet Union. Half-Day Vehicle & Driver (4 Hours); Full-Day Guide (8 Hours) Telegraaf
DAY 14 Tallinn-Onward Today, meet your driver for a transfer to the airport for your flight onwards. Please note the cost of the flight is not included. Airport Transfer
What Is Included Cost of the Program: $ For Two (2) guests April - October From $5,300 per person, double occupancy Travelling Together For Four (4) guests April - October From $4,125 per person, double occupancy Travelling Together ***Please note, it is possible to arrange self-drive during other times of the year, but weather conditions may not be ideal.*** Accommodations Vilnius Deluxe Room for Three (3) nights at Kempinski Cathedral Square; Tax and Buffet Breakfast included daily. The Kempinski Cathedral Square is the newest luxury hotel in Vilnius and offers, for the first time, an international five-star property in this charming city. The hotel features just 96 rooms and suites with individual décor. The hotel s best feature is its location directly in the heart of the city on Cathedral Square. Rooms feature views of the UNESCO Old Town, the Presidential Palace and the main shopping street of the city. The hotel features a stunning spa and fitness area, as well as an indoor pool. Guests can also enjoy the Finnish and steam saunas. All rooms feature traditional décor, wood floors and exclusive fabrics. All rooms have inroom coffee and tea facilities. In all rooms except the Standard category, spacious bathrooms feature a separate shower and bathtub. WiFi is complimentary throughout the hotel. Deluxe Room: These unique rooms feature some of the best views in the city. All rooms feature high ceilings, a small sitting area and views of Cathedral Square. Rooms have a choice of one king or two twin beds and range in size from 335 to almost 500 square feet. Some rooms have small alcove balconies overlooking the square. Some of these rooms have the possibility to connect. Klaipeda Double Room with a River View for Two (2) nights at Michaelson Boutique ; Tax and Buffet Breakfast included daily. This 16-room boutique hotel boasts original interior features mixed with modern luxury and comfort. Each room contains exclusively designed Lithuanian furniture and high-quality textiles.
Breakfast at the hotel features a small cold dish buffet and made to order coffees and hot dishes. Double Room with a River View: This double room offers a view of the River Dange with a King-sized bed and boast authentic construction balks and lintels. Average room size is 269 square feet and furnished with antiallergenic bedding. Riga Deluxe Room for Three (3) nights at Grand Palace Riga; Tax and Buffet Breakfast included daily. The Grand Palace is the finest in Riga and offers one of the best locations in the city. The small lobby leads to a room where guests checking-in are seated and receive individual attention. The ambiance of this hotel is more of a grand mansion, befitting its history of a home to wealthy Baltic aristocrats. The hotel offers a finedining restaurant, Suite, which at 11:00PM transforms itself into a lounge for guests to enjoy drinks and music. Breakfast is served in the airy Orangerie. The striking Pils Bar is reminiscent of an English hunting lodge. Guests will also find a small fitness facility with a sauna and seat room. As this is a historic hotel, rooms do tend to be on the small side and all feature individual décor. Rooms have traditional and elegant furnishings and bathrooms feature heated floors. Deluxe Rooms: These rooms are some of our favorites and feature 275 square feet of space and offer a choice of either a queen bed or two twin beds. It is possible to place an extra bed in these rooms if necessary. Gauja National Park Standard Castle Room for One (1) night at Birini Castle; Tax and Buffet Breakfast included daily. A manor house existed on the property since the 14 th century, but the castle as it is today was built in 1860 as a gift to August von Pistohlkor s wife, Emily. After time as a sanatorium during the Soviet era, the castle was given new life as a hotel. Situated on a large estate including walking trails, a lake, windmill, and horse-riding trails. The property even breeds Latvian horses and dwarf rabbits. Guests staying at the castle have complimentary access to the park grounds, the perfect chance to explore the traditional Latvian countryside. There is a restaurant and small spa area located on the ground floor and basement level of the castle. All rooms are individually decorated and have a TV and hair dryer. Standard Castle Room: Located on the first and second floors, these rooms have tall ceilings helping to make them feel more open. Muhu Superior Room for Two (2) nights at Padaste Manor; Tax and Buffet Breakfast included daily. This historic mansion on Muhu Island was first mentioned in the 16th century when the Danish king Fredrik II handed the property over to the von Knorr family in recognition of their services to the crown. After a long and painstaking renovation which was completed in June 2008, this idyllic property has again opened its doors to visitors and offers simple luxury in its 24 rooms, suites, and a private beach house all of which are airconditioned and beautifully appointed with finest furniture and exquisite linen and fabrics. The Padaste Manor complex offers accommodations in the actual Manor House, the Carriage House, and the private Farm House. All rooms and suites vary in size, location, and facilities and are beautifully appointed with
luxuriant fabrics, unobtrusive state-of-the-art technology and wonderful attention to detail. All rooms and suites in the Manor House and the Carriage House are non-smoking. Superior Double Room: There are 7 of these rooms in the Manor House and they vary in size from 355 to 505 square feet. Some of these rooms are located on the ground floor and have park or sea views while others have private balconies. A few of these rooms have a combined bath & rain shower, while others are fitted with a luxury sized walk in shower and no bath tub. All of these rooms offer high-definition LCD TVs with Satellite channels, Blu-Ray players, complimentary high-speed and wireless Internet, BOSE sound systems, and mini bars. Tallinn Executive Room for Two (2) nights at Telegraaf; Tax and Buffet Breakfast included daily. The Telegraaf offers 86 rooms and suites in the heart of Tallinn s Old Town. The magnificent building at Vene Street 9 was constructed at the end of 19th century. Peter Schreiberg from St. Petersburg designed a 4- storied house, with the two topmost floors being added later. After the Republic of Estonia was established in 1918, the building was used as the post and telegraph center. The hotel is centrally situated in the historic Old Town a UNESCO World Heritage site and is very close to Town Hall Square, the Opera House, museums and shops, a variety of restaurants, medieval churches and ancient buildings. Executive Room: The rooms in this starting category are all in the modern annex to the historic building and feature contemporary furnishing, carpeted floors and an armchair or sofa. View is of the courtyard. Bedding is either one double bed or two twins. Meals No meals included, other than breakfast as described above. Your final documents will include our top recommendations. Your guides will recommend restaurants that fit your exact needs daily. Services Private vehicle, driver and guide at your service as described. The timing for each day is noted in your program. Exeter International s local offices are available for your assistance 24 hours per day while you are traveling. Our local staff may also assist you with restaurant reservations and purchasing of additional theater and museum tickets at your request. Transportation Transportation is included as noted. Unless otherwise noted, all transfer service is with a driver only, not a guide. In general, drivers have limited English-speaking skills. Timing for each day is noted in your program. Guides Hand chosen for their knowledge on local history, art & architecture. Guides are at your disposal as noted in your itinerary. Theater None included. Theater transportation is not included unless noted. Tickets All entrance tickets as described in the program. Car Rental Not included. Car rentals are quoted separately on your invoice.
Parking/Tolls/Fuel Not included. Please be prepared to pay locally. Rail Tickets Not included. Please see individual quotations, if applicable, on your invoice. Air Not included. Please see individual quotations, if applicable, on your invoice. Exeter International Independent Self-Drive Travel Information BAGGAGE The vehicles reserved for your itinerary can accommodate up to two medium-sized suitcases per person. If you intend to travel with additional luggage, please advise your travel consultant so appropriate arrangements may be made. In general, we schedule a sedan for parties of two, a minivan for parties of three to four and a minibus for parties of five or more. SELF-DRIVE All Exeter International self-drive programs include full support throughout your program with our local 24hour staff. You have the option of borrowing our GPS (we will pre-load your route) or sending us your own GPS to program prior to your trip. Upon arrival in your first city, you will also receive the most up-to-date road map for the region you will drive. Parking instructions, where needed, are included as well as a listing of common European road signs. Your final documents will also include the basic driving rules for each country, including speed limits and other information. SIGHTSEEING Sightseeing arrangements have been made with your special interests in mind. Your drivers and guides are at your disposal as indicated in the itinerary. Within those time and mileage guidelines, you are free to modify your program as you please. Should you require additional time or mileage, the costs will be quoted on request and may be paid for locally in the local currency or U.S. Dollars. Every effort has been made to confirm that scheduled sightseeing venues will be open at the time you plan to visit them. However, individual estates, museums, gardens and other points of interest can change their hours of operation at short notice. In the event that a particular attraction is closed on the day or time of your visit, your guide will offer alternative arrangements or rearrange your sightseeing to accommodate these unexpected events. OPTIONAL EXPENSES Charges for extra meals, transport, sightseeing services or other optional additions to your established itinerary are your responsibility and must be paid locally in the local currency. GRATUITIES Gratuities are not included in your tour price. Gratuities are at your own discretion. We recommend $30 per person, per day for your guide and $15 per person, per day for your driver. For your airport or station transfer, a gratuity of $20 is customary, based on service. Dollars, Euros and any local currency are all accepted. DINING WITH YOUR GUIDE On days when dinner and lunch costs have not been included in your itinerary (or in your tour cost), you may, at your discretion, choose to invite your guide to dine with your party. You are under no obligation to do so but, if you do extend such an invitation, the guide is your guest and you will be responsible for the cost of his/her meal.
Booking Conditions PAYMENTS Exeter International must receive a deposit of 25% of the total program cost before reservations for your independent travel program can be initiated. The balance of payment is due 60 days prior to departure. No reservations are made on your behalf until this deposit has been received. Availability and pricing is subject to change until this deposit is received. All deposits are nonrefundable. CANCELLATION Written cancellations received fewer than 60 days prior to departure are subject to the following forfeit of tour cost 59-14 days prior to departure, 50% of total tour cost 14 or fewer days prior to departure, 100% of tour cost REFUNDS We regret that refunds cannot be issued for arrangements confirmed on your itinerary but unused once your tour has begun. INSURANCE Exeter International strongly recommends the purchase of travel insurance to protect your investment. You will find insurance costs noted on your invoice and insurance coverage information in your original booking packet. PRICES AND ARRANGEMENTS Once an itinerary is finalized and final payment has been made, a $100 revision fee will be charged if the itinerary is changed. The tour price includes planning, handling and operational charges. Rates are quoted in US Dollars on the current rate of exchange and tariff as of 2019. Exeter International reserves the right to increase tour prices to cover increased costs, tariffs and taxes, and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange markets. Devaluation of a foreign currency will be weighed against any tariff increases imposed. Exeter International does not breakdown costs involved in any Small Group or Individual Travel Program. All arrangements are subject to availability and modification if necessary. Prices are subject to change if necessary until paid in full. Exeter International www.exeterinternational.com 111 South Dakota Avenue Tampa, Florida 33606 Phone: (813) 251-5355 (800) 633-1008 Fax: (813) 251-6685