FAQ

Who is welcome on this trip?

We’ve outlined in The WAY who this trip is for and who it is not for. Understand that WorldTowning does not discriminate based on religion, gender, race, age, socio-economic status or sexuality. We are welcoming and inviting of all who relate to The WAY guidelines, and request that, if you join us, you demonstrate inclusiveness and that you welcome all religions, genders, races and sexual orientations without bias.

Is there an age range for your trips?

Our minimum age is 12 and the maximum really depends on the adventure. Each trip has a recommended age depending on the fitness levels required for the adventure.

Can children attend this trip? Are they free? Do you offer babysitting?

Children can attend, but please note the level of physical activity and the age requirements. Children under 12 are not the best fit for our trips. Unfortunately, we will not be able to make accommodations for children for walking, hiking or travel.

Children do pay the same rate as any other guest as we do not get a discount from the companies we work with for children.

We do not provide babysitting services and our team members (or other guests) will not be responsible for your children. We love kids, but we don’t feel comfortable being responsible for a minor. You are responsible for the children you bring.

Are flights included in the price?

No, flights are not included. Please check the “Included” section associated with each trip.

Which airport should I fly into?

The closest airport will be listed in your welcome package.

If I miss my flight, will you purchase a new one for me?

We are not responsible for missed flights, however we will assist you in meeting up with the group once you arrive. Our recommendation is always to fly in the day before the trip begins.

Is transportation from the airport to the accommodation (and vice versa) included?

Please see the “Included” section associated with your desired trip.

When will we first meet?

Besides the face-to-face online trip-preparation discussions that will occur prior to the trip, we typically will meet when you check in at the hotel. However, this does vary depending on the trip. Please check your welcome package once you receive it.

How will we travel from location to location?

On most of our trips, we will travel by small van, which will have air conditioning and heating, as needed.

Should I purchase travel insurance? “(Note: This is a WorldTowning Voyages trip requirement.)

Your travel insurance must provide coverage against personal accident, death, medical expenses and emergency repatriation. We also recommend that it covers cancellation, personal liability, loss of luggage and personal effects. We suggest Travel Guard International or World Nomads.

How active are your trips?

Our trips are very active, require mobility, energy and are NOT always accessible for all people, as much as we wish they were. If you struggle with physical activity, have accessibility needs or need special care, then our trips are not for you. We cannot guarantee access to alternative modes of transportation (cabs, buses, etc.), which means you will need to walk, even if you are struggling. As a general rule, you should exercise regularly, be able to walk up to 5 miles per day on cobblestone, climb 4 flights of steep stairs (without railings and elevators), walk moderate inclines and be able to drag or carry your belongings on wobbly streets for several blocks.

WTV cannot stress enough how important it is to realistically address your ability. We clearly state the physical requirements for each trip and as a result cannot modify, slow down or stay behind with a guest. Our trips have 2 guides because 2 guides is necessary. When 1 guide focuses on 1 individual it is unfair to the rest of the guests. Of course, if you are ill this is a different situation.

Please check the level of physical fitness required for each trip. This can vary depending on the destination.

Do I need medical insurance? (Note: This is a WorldTowning Voyages trip requirement.)

Yes. You can never predict what will happen on a trip, and we want to make sure our guests are covered if things go wrong. There are a variety of travel insurance providers that offer short-term insurance covering medical, lost luggage and trip interruption. We will need verification of medical coverage and travel insurance prior to the start of the trip.

Are vaccines required?

Regarding general vaccines, it depends on the country. Most of our trip countries do not require them, but it will be stated in the trip details if it is necessary. In the event you do contract COVID we ask that you wear a mask for the duration of the trip in an effort to protect other guests.

What happens if I get sick? 

This can happen both when you are at home and while you are traveling. We will do our best to keep you comfortable in every way possible. Be sure to bring any products that you use from home when you are ill. If you are following a medical treatment, it is also wise to bring the corresponding prescription with you in case you need to fill it on site or account for your medications at customs when arriving in the trip country.

Are the tours handicap accessible?

Most are not, unfortunately. Our tours include walking and are often on uneven ground or cobblestone. Please check the specific trip to identify the restrictions. If you would like us to plan a custom tour that finds experiences and accommodations that cater to those with limited mobility, please reach out to us. In the event you are unsure about your level of mobility and accessibility on a particular trip, please reach out to us.

What should I pack?

Don’t pack too much! Functional, lightweight clothing that can be worn a few days at a time, and then easily washed and hung dry is best. A more complete packing list will be included in your welcome package.

Do you provide luggage storage options?

Unfortunately, we do not. Most of our trips start in one spot and end in another, which makes it difficult to store luggage.

How much luggage can I bring?

A small bag for onboard personal items and a larger suitcase are recommended, as we will be traveling from location to location via a small van, and everyone will need space for their luggage. Specific suitcase size limits will be listed in your welcome package.

Do I need a visa?  

It depends on the country and your nationality. In some cases, a visa may be required, depending on your passport country. More specific details will be provided in your welcome package. You will require, however, a valid passport with at least one blank page. In addition, your passport must have an expiration date of at least six months from your expected exit date from the trip country.

Do you offer any materials to help us familiarize ourselves with the location before we arrive?

Absolutely! We will have a group Zoom call to go over the details, and we will provide a welcome package, an itinerary, a packing list and several other pieces of literature. Plus, you will receive a WorldTowning Voyages welcome swag package.

What can we expect for accommodations?
This really varies depending on where we are in the world. In all cases, we pick places that give a rich cultural experience, have amazing customer service and that we have used before.

What if I would like to arrive early and book additional nights at our group hotel?

In our welcome package, we will identify the hotel and contact information in the event you want to book additional nights.

Can I join you for only a portion of the trip or provide my own accommodations?

Unfortunately, we cannot offer modifications to the trip.

Can I change my room if I don’t like it on arrival?

No room changes are permitted, even if another guest offers to switch with you.

Is this a mission or does it have a religious affiliation?

No. WorldTowning is not affiliated with any religious group.

How do you contribute to the communities, locals and organizations you work with?

Our first goal is to always work with a local resident to help advance their business. If they don’t have a business, we suggest they build a business around an experience we had with them. We prefer to work with family-run, women-run or smaller businesses, as opposed to a larger organization that lacks heart and soul. In this way, we know the money we pay for the experience benefits the family or small business directly, not a large corporation.

What languages are your tours in?

All of our tours are conducted in English; however, if translation is necessary, we speak French and Spanish as well.

Will vegetarian/vegan options or accommodations for other dietary preferences/restrictions be available?

This is really dependent on the culture and their style of eating. It is best to reference each trip individually for this information. In all cases, we will do our best to work with you, but please be aware that some options may be more challenging or not even possible. If a trip does offer vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free or sugar free options guests must be willing to eat redundant meals from time to time as we cannot guarantee a unique meal each time.

Can my pet join me?

We are not able to accept or accommodate travelers with support animals due to restrictions within the countries we visit as well as guest allergies.

Will the itinerary change?

You will receive a final itinerary a few weeks before the trip. However, we reserve the right to change an itinerary if we find an experience that we believe will enhance the trip.

Can I be on your YouTube channel?

We would love that! We will definitely be shooting some footage, so expect there to be a vlog or two from our mutual experience. All that being said, we will ask you to sign a photo and video release. The material will only be used for promotional and/or commercial purpose as it relates to the WorldTowning brand.

Where can I share my photos of the trip?

We love this! You can share photos of your adventures on Instagram by using the hashtag #worldtowningvoyages and tagging us @worldtowning. You can also upload your photos and experiences to a joint folder. Details will be provided in your welcome package.

Is there a minimum guest requirement per trip?

Yes, there is. We need a minimum of 16 people for most trips, unless otherwise noted. Please do NOT book flights or make any other related financial investments for the trip until we notify you that we have met this minimum. In the event we do not meet our minimum, you will be fully refunded the amount of money paid to WorldTowning for your spot. If more than 18 people sign up, we will waitlist the additional individuals.

How are the payments structured? Are there payment plans?

You will need to pay a 50% non-refundable deposit at registration. The remainder of your balance is due 90 days before the start of the trip. We hope to have payment plans in the future, but at this time we do not.

What if I need to cancel?

A 50% deposit is required to secure your spot, and it is non-refundable (unless our trip minimum is not met), as we must forward payments for locations, transportation and tours in advance. Should you need to cancel, we will offer your spot to the first person on the waitlist. If we are able to fill your spot, we will refund your deposit, minus processing fees. If we are unable to fill your spot then you will need to file for the 50% refund with your travel insurance.

What if I need to cancel because of COVID-19 travel restrictions in my country? Will I be refunded?

In these unprecedented times, it is a requirement to purchase travel insurance for all WorldTowning Voyages trips. We recommend travel insurance that offers you options to cover baggage, accident/life and trip cancellation. Trip cancellation insurance reimburses you for non-refundable air and land costs, if you must cancel a trip due to personal or family illness or accident (or COVID restrictions). We suggest Travel Guard International or World Nomads. We will be unable to offer you refunds when you cancel, as we have already paid deposits based on your reservation.

Is it possible to transfer my reservation to another trip?

You will also have the option to transfer your deposit to another tour for up to one year, minus processing fees, if there is space available and a trip on the calendar.

What if WorldTowning cancels a trip?

We are living in crazy times. If COVID-19 related restrictions or regulations (or any other major event) prevent us from being able to host the itinerary as promised, reschedule or modify and hold the integrity of the trip then we will need to cancel. A 70% refund of payments made will be reimbursed within 60 days of cancellation. The remaining 30% will need to be filed with the travel insurance provider for which you purchased the policy.

We are a small family run business who cannot afford to take the financial hit that is associated with non-recoupable costs. For example, time spent planning the event, swag packages, deposits paid to vendors, as well as processing fees and administrative costs. We hope that you understand and recognize the value in purchasing the required travel insurance.

When is the final payment due?

Final payment is due 90 days before the start of the trip. This is non-negotiable. If you do not pay the balance for your trip, your place will be given to another individual and your deposit will be forfeited.

Can I get a discount or refund if I arrive late or leave early?

Arriving late or leaving a trip in progress will not result in a refund, and no refunds will be made for any unused portion of the trip. If we request you leave the trip due to poor behavior, no refund will be given.

Do you offer any discounts?

Yes! We offer discounts to individuals who meet any of the following criteria:

• Current WorldTowning Patron ($10 tier and above)
• Current or former WT University participant
• Current of former WorldTowning coaching client
• Previous WorldTowning Voyages group trip guest

Individuals who meet any of the above criteria will be entitled to a $100 discount off a WorldTowning Voyages group trip. Total applicable discount per individual that can be applied shall not exceed $200 USD, per person, per booking.

Examples of how the discount can be applied, are the following:

1. Sally Smith has been on a previous WTing Voyages trip and is $50 per month Patron. She would get a $200 discount off her trip, but her friend or partner who has not met the criteria above would not.
2. Sally and John Smith both attended WT University, however they paid for one registration to the course. They would only qualify for a $100 discount.

Please reach out for your coupon code before booking.

Do you work with travel agents?

Yes, we do. Please reach out to us for more details via email.

How do we pick our trip locations?

Each location is hand-picked by one of our family members because we were able to find a deep connection to the local people and culture that we felt would be of value to all of you. We don’t just scout our locations; we live and breathe them for a minimum of 3 months and up to several years. We believe this is the only way to dig deep into the culture and find those diamond-in-the-rough local experiences.

Do we have rest days?

We have more activity options than humanly imaginable. This provides you with the fullest experience, so you go away feeling like you got your money’s worth. With that premise in mind, there are no (or only 1) scheduled rest days. However, it is not uncommon for individuals to sit out an activity as deemed necessary to provide for additional rest or to seek out adventures alone. In the event that you choose to sit out, you are responsible for your time, food, costs and whatever else you choose to do. We will not be able to plan additional activities for you, but we are more than willing to make suggestions. In addition, you are welcome to come before or stay after the trip has ended if there is more you want to explore.

How many people will be on the trip? Will you open it up to more?

The maximum size is 16-20 (plus the four of us). We keep the groups small for a more intimate and friendly learning experience.

How does Will get that “I just got out of bed and look cool” vibe?

He just gets out of bed. To think there was a day when the #4 razor cut and pressed suits were his life. He is taking this sailor look to heart.

Is the pink natural?

Yep, naturally dyed with Manic Panic “hot pink” for the last six years. Of course with a heavy dose of gray and maybe some brown still under there.