Frequently Asked Questions

Why should we reserve a private tour instead of a group tour?

We started this business by personally leading private tours throughout Europe, and quickly learned that our clients love having a tour to themselves. Private tours are the only kind of tour we offer, so unlike operators who split their attention across mass-market group tours everywhere in the world, we stay focused on private tours in Europe.

We carefully select the best local tour operators and guides in each city and stand behind every tour we offer. You can read more on our Our Promise, Back-to-Ship Guarantee, and About Us pages.

Why do you have reviews on TripAdvisor and reviews on your own website, and which one should I trust?

We publish testimonials on our own site, and we also encourage every client to leave a review on TripAdvisor. When you're deciding which one to weigh more heavily, we'd point you to TripAdvisor. Any business can publish flattering quotes on its own website, including ours, so a testimonial on a company's own page isn't independently verified.

TripAdvisor reviews go through their own verification process and can't be edited or removed by us, which makes that rating a more reliable picture of what past clients actually experienced. We're currently rated 4.9 on TripAdvisor from over 170 reviews and were named a 2025 Travelers' Choice Award winner. If you're comparing us to a cruise-line excursion or another private operator, that third-party rating is the number worth checking.

What tours or private excursions do you offer at my port, and are you available on my date?

We operate private shore excursions and transfers in over 129 cruise ports across 40+ countries in Europe. Search for your port on our site to see the tours available, or contact us with your ship's arrival date and we will confirm availability directly.

How much does a private tour or transfer cost?

Pricing depends on the port, the length of the tour, and the vehicle size. Each tour page lists pricing for the group size shown. Since our tours are private, the price is for the vehicle and guide, not per person, so the more people in your group, the lower the cost per person.

Are children's prices available?

Private tour pricing is based on the number of passengers in the vehicle, and local law requires a seat for every passenger, including infants. Some tours offer discounted entrance fees for children. Contact us with the ages in your group before booking and we can confirm what discounts apply.

Is lunch included in my tour?

It depends on the tour. When a meal is part of the itinerary, it's listed in that tour's details. On tours without a listed meal, you'll typically stop at a local restaurant on your own so you can choose what and how much to eat, at your own expense. Check the tour details before booking if a included meal matters to your plans for the day.

Are entrance tickets included in the tour price?

When a tour includes skip-the-line entrance tickets, such as the Vatican Museums or the Doge's Palace, those tickets are listed in that tour's details. If a site isn't listed as included, entrance is either optional and paid on site or not part of that itinerary.

Are entrance tickets refundable if I need to cancel?

Some entrance tickets, particularly for popular sites like the Vatican, are purchased on your behalf in advance and are non-refundable once bought, separate from your tour's general cancellation policy. Because these tickets can sell out, we purchase them as early as possible to secure your spot. For tours that require this, we may ask for an additional upfront deposit, and that portion becomes non-refundable as soon as the tickets are purchased.

Can you accommodate large groups (10+ people)?

Yes. For groups of 10 or more, we typically arrange a larger vehicle or multiple vehicles traveling together, depending on the port and the tour. Contact us with your group size and we will put together options for you.

Can multiple travelers or strangers join an existing private tour to split the cost?

Our tours are private and reserved exclusively for your booking, so they are not shared with other travelers you don't already know. If you are traveling with friends on separate bookings and would like to combine into one tour, contact us directly and we can look at the options.

Do you offer private transfers between the cruise port and the airport or hotel?

Yes. We offer private one-way and round-trip transfers between the cruise port and area airports or hotels in most of the ports we serve. Search for your port to see transfer options and pricing.

Do you work with travel agents, and what's the process or commission?

Yes, we work with travel agents regularly and welcome the partnership. Contact us directly with your agency information and we will walk you through how bookings, commission, and client communication work.

Do you accept partnership or listing inquiries from other tour operators or marketplaces?

We consider partnership inquiries on a case by case basis. Please contact us directly with details about your company and what you have in mind.

Can tours be customized or made more flexible (extra stop, different pace)?

Yes. Most of our tours can be adjusted to focus on what matters most to you, whether that is more time at a particular site or an extra stop we don't normally include. Let us know your interests when you book and we will build the day around them.

Can you combine multiple towns or sites into one day tour?

In many ports, yes. Depending on the distances involved and the amount of time your ship is in port, we can often combine nearby towns or sites into a single day. Let us know what you would like to see and we will confirm what fits the time available.

Can we make changes to an already-confirmed itinerary?

Changes must be requested in writing by email at least 72 hours before the tour, and we will do what we can to accommodate them, though we cannot guarantee every request. Changes requested less than 72 hours in advance must be made by calling the local tour operator directly.

If a last-minute change increases the price, that difference is settled directly with the local tour company in their local currency. Once your tour is underway, your driver or guide may be able to make small adjustments if time allows, but there are no refunds, partial or otherwise, if one or more members of your group are unable to join.

What happens if our itinerary changes or we miss the port?

If your cruise line cancels or changes your port of call, contact us as soon as you know. We will work with you on rescheduling or cancelling the tour according to the cancellation policy for that booking.

Do you make museum reservations?

For tours that include museum entry, we make advance reservations whenever the museum offers that service, including VIP entrance where available to help you skip the line.

Can you guarantee we'll be back on the ship before all-aboard / departure time?

Every private tour we operate is planned and timed by us, not by you, which means we take responsibility for getting you back to the ship on schedule. Our local tour operators know exactly how much time you need at the pier, and tours are designed to have you back at least one hour before departure.

Our Back-to-Ship Guarantee adds an extra layer of protection: any tour scheduled to end at least 1.5 hours before your ship's departure is fully covered under the guarantee, giving you an additional operational buffer.

Will an English-speaking guide accompany us, or is it driver-only?

This depends on the tour, and there are a few different types of guides you may encounter:

• Licensed Guide - trained and certified to the standard required by their local government. A licensed guide can provide commentary during driving portions of your tour as well as guided walking tours inside historical sites and museums, and must carry their license badge while working.
• Tour Leader / City Guide - trained to provide commentary during the driving portions of your tour and can join your group on foot to help navigate, but is not licensed to provide commentary inside historical sites or museums.
• Driver Guide - a driver trained in the region or city who can provide general commentary in English during driving portions of your tour. A driver guide does not typically lead walking tours or provide commentary inside historical sites or museums.

Each tour page notes which type of guide is included, so you can confirm before booking.

Where do we meet our private guide or driver?

Your guide or driver will meet you at the location shown on your confirmation, holding a sign with your name as it appears there. Your confirmation also includes a local phone number in case you have any trouble finding each other.

For tours starting at the pier, you may need to walk or take a shuttle past the secure terminal area before reaching your guide. For tours starting at a hotel, your guide will meet you at the entrance. For tours starting at an airport, you will need to claim your luggage and clear customs before meeting your guide. In some cases, drivers cannot leave the vehicle unattended and may be waiting curbside instead.

Do you have wheelchair-accessible or mobility-friendly vehicles?

Each tour description notes its level of walking and mobility difficulty and whether a folding wheelchair can be brought along. Most tours involve minimal walking. Please note that guides and drivers are not able to assist with or push a wheelchair.

If you plan to bring a folding wheelchair, it is important to tell us at the time of booking. If we are not notified in advance, the tour may need to be cancelled without a refund, so please let us know your needs before you reserve.

Can you provide a car seat or accommodate young children/infants?

Car seat availability varies by port and vehicle. Let us know the ages of any children in your group when you book, and we will confirm what can be arranged. Please note that local law requires a paid seat for every passenger, including infants.

What is your cancellation and refund policy?

Tours are refundable up to 15 days before the tour date, subject to a $50 USD administration fee per tour. That fee is deducted from your refund and can also be applied toward a future tour within 3 years.

Do you provide a refund if my ship cannot make it into port?

Yes. If your cruise line is unable to reach port due to severe weather, mechanical problems, or political unrest, we honor a full refund, less the $50 USD administration fee. That fee can also be applied toward a future tour within 3 years.

Should I consider travel insurance?

As with any travel booking, we recommend purchasing travel insurance. Speak with your travel agent about the options that best cover your trip.

What type of vehicle will pick us up (van, minibus, coach)?

Vehicle type depends on your group size and the tour. Each tour page lists the vehicle used for that group size, ranging from private sedans up to larger coaches for big groups. All of our vehicles are air conditioned and non-smoking.

What's the maximum number of people one vehicle can hold?

Our sedans seat 2 passengers, and our minivans seat 3 to 6. For groups larger than 6, we arrange a bigger vehicle or multiple vehicles traveling together.

How do I book and pay a deposit?

Choose the tours you want, add them to your cart, and complete payment, just like any other online purchase. Because every tour is 100% private, we need a couple of days afterward to finalize the local details.

Do you send a confirmation or voucher?

You will receive an email right away letting you know we have received your order. Once we finalize the local details, a second email follows with your confirmation, which you can print to bring on your trip. You can also check the status of any order under "My Account" on our website.

When should I reserve my private tour?

As early as possible. Private vehicles often sell out 2 to 3 weeks in advance, and tours with VIP entrances, such as the Vatican Museums, can sell out even earlier. Tours in St. Petersburg require four weeks notice to process the necessary entry paperwork.

What if I need to book on short notice?

If you need to confirm a tour less than 7 days out, contact us directly for the fastest help. A $25 per tour last-minute booking fee applies inside that window, and we generally cannot confirm a tour with less than 3 days notice.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept major credit cards through our secure online checkout. If you would like to split payment across more than one card, contact us to arrange it. A $10 fee applies for each additional card used.

How do I modify or confirm an existing reservation?

Contact us with your booking confirmation number and the change you would like to make, and we will confirm it directly with you.

Can I speak with someone by phone?

Yes. Visit our Contact page and request a phone call. Since we work with clients around the world, we schedule phone appointments in advance so we can connect at a good time for you.