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At Image Tours we highly recommend using a travel agent when planning an international trip. The following is an article that clearly explains the "Six Reasons Travel Agents are Back". As far as we are concerned they never "left".  Travel Agents have always helped to match up the type of clients that most appreciate all the benefits that go along with Escorted Europe Tours.  Travel agents have always and continue to add value and inform clients of all the possibilities of traveling abroad so they are a more informed consumer before leaving the country on their trip.  We strongly encourage you to use our Travel Agent Locator which will allow you to find an agent near you that has gone through informational training about our tours.   Those agents in the Travel Agent Locator understand our tours more than any other agents you may call.   Please do not hesitate to Request a Europe Brochure before continuing on to the article, and by doing so we will connect you with a travel agent that has our Europe Brochures in stock and ready to send out locally so you receive the brochure faster.   [Read More]

At Image Tours we highly recommend using a travel agent when planning an international trip. The following is an article that clearly explains the "Six Reasons Travel Agents are Back". As far as we are concerned they never "left".  Travel Agents have always helped to match up the type of clients that most appreciate all the benefits that go along with Escorted Europe Tours.  Travel agents have always and continue to add value and inform clients of all the possibilities of traveling abroad so they are a more informed consumer before leaving the country on their trip.  We strongly encourage you to use our Travel Agent Locator which will allow you to find an agent near you that has gone through informational training about our tours.   Those agents in the Travel Agent Locator understand our tours more than any other agents you may call.   Please do not hesitate to Request a Europe Brochure before continuing on to the article, and by doing so we will connect you with a travel agent that has our Europe Brochures in stock and ready to send out locally so you receive the brochure faster.   [Read More]

Image Tours has independent working relationships with each vendor in the United Kingdom, and those long established relationships will carry on just as they have in the past.  As Britain works through the logistics of exiting the European Union over the next two years, the short term effect for American visitors will be the ability to purchase more souvenirs with a  lower British Pound as compared to the United States Dollar.  We are not able to predict where the exchange rate may end up in the medium and long term, but the rate is likely to be better for our travelers planning trips for this fall of 2016.  Rest assured we are keeping our finger on the pulse of the European Union and we will take the proper measures that will keep our tours running as smoothly as they have in the past, while maintaining an excellent value.

Image Tours has independent working relationships with each vendor in the United Kingdom, and those long established relationships will carry on just as they have in the past.  As Britain works through the logistics of exiting the European Union over the next two years, the short term effect for American visitors will be the ability to purchase more souvenirs with a  lower British Pound as compared to the United States Dollar.  We are not able to predict where the exchange rate may end up in the medium and long term, but the rate is likely to be better for our travelers planning trips for this fall of 2016.  Rest assured we are keeping our finger on the pulse of the European Union and we will take the proper measures that will keep our tours running as smoothly as they have in the past, while maintaining an excellent value.

The key to a good flight, in my experience, is to bring these . . .  snacks for the plane . . .

The key to a good flight, in my experience, is to bring these . . .  snacks for the plane . . .

What are your European vacation goals?

Maybe you’re setting out to see centuries-old architecture, like the Notre Dame cathedral. Or perhaps you’re a history buff and want to see monumental memorials in person. Whatever brings you to Europe, there’s one thing everyone can agree on: It’s always a good idea to spend your money wisely!

Planning your first trip to Europe can seem daunting. You want to make sure you get everything packed into your trip (and packed into your luggage!), but you also want to make sure you get the best value for your money. Perhaps you think an escorted tour breaks the bank, but actually, it’s the perfect option for your first trip overseas! Here are nine smart-money reasons why you should book an escorted tour:





1. A Professional makes sure you get the most bang for your buck.

A professional makes sure you get the most bang for your buck! Look, it’s a serious commitment to get to Europe. Shouldn’t you savor every minute of your time there? And that’s why an escorted tour makes sense. Think about it: You’d never tackle a complex home repair — say a leak in your water heater, for example — without consulting a professional.

Sure, you could read about some interesting places to go, and honestly, you should do a little research. But if you’ve never been to Europe, wouldn’t it be better to leave the details to the pros? An experienced travel operator makes sure nothing is wasted — not your time and not your money.







2. If time is money, don’t spend yours planning an itinerary!

Let the experts handle it. Let’s face the facts: Vacations cost money. They also cost you time — time to book, time to plan, time to pack, time to travel. Well, if time truly is money, you could end up spending a whole lot of it just planning your trip. That’s where escorted tours come in.

When you take a trip designed and organized by professionals, you ensure the very best value you can get. Imagine an expert taking you around, giving the best insight into your destinations and making sure you don’t waste time on tourist-y things or inauthentic experiences. You’ll see the most important sights in each place you visit!







3. Eat smart - don’t save calories, but do save money!

Who wants to watch what they eat on vacation? C’mon, indulge a little! But don’t let your wallet suffer for it. With an escorted tour, the majority of your meals are included with the total price, meaning you aren’t going to pay a fortune for a meal every time you eat.

Best of all, your tour guide knows the quality restaurants in every city you visit—you’ll get a great meal and a great value (and avoid the overpriced tourist traps, too). Imagine sitting along a Venetian canal mid-morning, sipping caffé on the terrace of a coffee shop, soaking in the golden sunrays. How can you find that paradise? Simply ask your tour manager: Which way to pure, caffeinated bliss?






4. Dine & stay at the highest quality establishments, at the lowest prices

Wouldn’t it be lovely to stay at a four-star hotel for a three-star price? By booking an escorted tour, awesome deals like that are at your fingertips. Often, escorted tour operators have relationships with quality hotels in the cities they visit and are able to get much better rates on accommodations than you could get on your own. How can you trust that a company is able to provide such a bargain? Try looking at their mission statement or “About” page on their website.








5. All of your transportation needs are taken care of!

What can be the biggest hassle while traveling abroad? The answer is easily transportation. Telling a cabbie where to go in Germany is not so easy if you know no German. And navigating the train and subway systems can be intimidating, even for experienced travelers.

With an escorted tour service, you can forget dealing with taxis and subways to get to dozens of must-see places. All transportation is included in your tour cost and is usually well below the rates available to the general public. Plus, you’ll get door-to-door transportation without the hassle of getting to a train station. Don’t stress over how you are going to get to the remote Stonehenge—let your tour operator get you there instead!




6. Discounted prices for tour groups at popular attractions!

Tour groups often get discounted prices, and even early entry to museums and other points of interest. They can also get into exhibits or sites that may not be available without an advance reservation. In some cases, escorted tour participants may get in before opening or after closing to allow time to explore with less crowds.

Imagine a guided tour of Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel to see Michelangelo’s exquisite ceiling frescoes or a glimpse inside St. Peter’s Basilica and the breathtaking Pieta. This type of access is hard to get without advance planning and an expert guide — but those lifetime experiences make the difference between a “nice” vacation and a truly spectacular one.





7. Take advantage of professional assistance should something come up.

Was your flight delayed? Did your luggage not make it over? Let the professionals help you! Dealing with unforeseen circumstances is difficult when you have never traveled to a foreign country before. It can seem impossible if there are language barriers, but your tour operator can help smooth over any difficulties.

Your tour company will also recommend travel insurance providers for additional assistance and to protect you against unforeseen situations. It’s extremely reassuring to know you’re not alone when you’re traveling abroad.







8. When you have a tour operator, fare not!

Your tour operator typically has insights into the best airfares and connections and can arrange your airline tickets for you. This also saves you time at the airport looking for transfers to your hotel, because in most cases, if your tour operator handles your airline reservations, they will be there right at the airport to greet you so you get started on your vacation right away.










9. Get a tip on — well, tips!

Save on all those little incidentals that can eat up your vacation budget. In an escorted tour, your tips for hotels, restaurants, even luggage handling are included in your package. You only need to worry about tips for your tour manager and driver (see FAQs for tipping guidelines). This makes life a heck of a lot easier for those who are not particularly math-minded!



 

The more you know...

When it is all set and done, you will be happy that you chose an escorted tour of Europe. Not only will you meet new people, feel safe in a group, and learn extensive information about your destinations, you will also know that every penny spent was spent wisely.

Ready to get a jump start on planning your European vacation? Get in touch today! And if you’re not quite sure, but want to know more, just request a brochure and learn everything you ever wanted to know about planning a tour of Europe.

At the end of January, my business associate and I traveled on different domestic schedules in order to see both sides of the connecting New York experience.We both took the Singapore Airlines flight and experienced a tremendously wonderful flight in addition to the comfortable transfers we experienced. The Singapore flights were wonderful.  We were on the new Air Bus A380 aircraft. The flight attendants were extremely attentive and helpful. In addition to handing out menu booklets showing the dinner choices and breakfast service they also provided us with a small flight kit with socks to keep your feet warm if you wanted to remove your shoes and also a small toothbrush and toothpaste. Prior to each meal service they passed out hot towels in order to ‘freshen-up’ before eating. There were two meal services on each flight. The food was plentiful and delicious. Throughout the flight they made frequent rounds with trays of water, juice, and wine and happily brought you additional or other beverages upon request. The staff is continuously walking the aisles to see if anyone needs anything, always with a smile and an eagerness to provide service. For example, I was reading a magazine and a flight attendant came by and turned on her light for me. The on-board toilets were stocked with additional toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand lotion and mouthwash. The plane is set up with 3 – 4 – 3 seating. The seats were very comfortable and each was supplied with a pillow and blanket. We could notice that the seats and leg room were wider than the domestic flights. Although I believe it only differs by an inch, it does make a big difference in your comfort. Each seat was also equipped with a personal entertainment system with a plethora of movies, TV shows, games, and music to keep you well occupied. I had a wonderful vacation, transfer experience, and a tremendously pleasant flight. I hope my story inspired you to embark on the same journey and experience the same if not more pleasant vacation as I did. Happy Holidays!

At the end of January, my business associate and I traveled on different domestic schedules in order to see both sides of the connecting New York experience.We both took the Singapore Airlines flight and experienced a tremendously wonderful flight in addition to the comfortable transfers we experienced. The Singapore flights were wonderful.  We were on the new Air Bus A380 aircraft. The flight attendants were extremely attentive and helpful. In addition to handing out menu booklets showing the dinner choices and breakfast service they also provided us with a small flight kit with socks to keep your feet warm if you wanted to remove your shoes and also a small toothbrush and toothpaste. Prior to each meal service they passed out hot towels in order to ‘freshen-up’ before eating. There were two meal services on each flight. The food was plentiful and delicious. Throughout the flight they made frequent rounds with trays of water, juice, and wine and happily brought you additional or other beverages upon request. The staff is continuously walking the aisles to see if anyone needs anything, always with a smile and an eagerness to provide service. For example, I was reading a magazine and a flight attendant came by and turned on her light for me. The on-board toilets were stocked with additional toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand lotion and mouthwash. The plane is set up with 3 – 4 – 3 seating. The seats were very comfortable and each was supplied with a pillow and blanket. We could notice that the seats and leg room were wider than the domestic flights. Although I believe it only differs by an inch, it does make a big difference in your comfort. Each seat was also equipped with a personal entertainment system with a plethora of movies, TV shows, games, and music to keep you well occupied. I had a wonderful vacation, transfer experience, and a tremendously pleasant flight. I hope my story inspired you to embark on the same journey and experience the same if not more pleasant vacation as I did. Happy Holidays!

At the end of January, my business associate and I traveled on different domestic schedules in order to see both sides of the connecting New York experience. Similar to my departure, my return was equally pleasant. After passing through passport control, collecting my luggage and going through customs, I exited into JFK Terminal 4 where informational kiosks and airport staff were waiting. I was immediately assisted by an airport staff member who promptly found the “Airporter” representative. The shuttle to LGA arrived within 5 minutes, and again, my luggage was loaded for me and we were on our way. I was at the Continental check-in area at LGA within 25 minutes of leaving JFK. My layover on the return was only scheduled to be 3 hours. Although I was a little anxious about this due to the fact that I had to go through passport control, get my luggage and go through customs – it was absolutely fine!  Even with standing at the luggage carousel for 20 minutes waiting for the bags to be unloaded I still had plenty of time to get from JFK to LGA, check-in for my flight, get a cup of coffee, watch a little airport CNN and be at my gate for my domestic flights with time to spare. After I was all settled, I met up with my business associate asked about her second experience transferring within JFK…