Can you tell me more about reservations and booking field trips?
How can I make my reservation?
You can reserve a spot on an Architecture Addiction field trip online via the link for any field trip on our Schedule page.
Can I save money by reserving early?
We recommend that you reserve early to lock in the current prices, as they may increase over time.
When should I make my reservation? Can Architecture Addiction hold a spot for me?
We recommend that you make your reservation as early as possible to
guarantee a spot on the field trip and to lock in the current price.
Many of our travelers reserve their trips 10 to 12 months in advance.
Can I reserve my field trip with Architecture Addiction through a travel agent?
We prefer to work directly with
our customers to ensure they receive the best possible service. Our
Field Trip Consultants are very knowledgable about all of our tours and
are happy to answer any questions you may have.
Can I transfer my reservation to someone else?
Due to restrictions with our suppliers, we cannot allow transfers of reservations.
When is it too late to reserve a space on a tour?
Most of our passengers make their reservations 10-12 months in advance of
their departure. We can accept reservations up until 71 days before
departure (91 days for cruises).
Does Architecture Addiction accommodate solo travelers?
Absolutely! If you would like to stay in a single hotel room, there is an
additional fee, which can be found on each field trip's reservation page.
Can you tell me more about travel documentation, vaccinations and packing?
Do I need a visa to travel? How much will it cost?
Most countries do not require U.S. citizens to purchase an entry visa. Some exceptions
include Russia, Turkey, Brazil, Australia, Egypt, Kenya and China.
Please select the field trip you are traveling on for more information about the entry requirements for the country you are planning to visit.
If
you are a United States citizen and would like more details on specific
entry requirements, please visit our recommended visa service, Zierer
Visa Service at www.zvs.com. If you are already booked on a tour that requires a visa, you can download a visa application here.
If
you are a Canadian citizen and would like more details on specific
entry requirements, please visit our recommended visa service, Visa
Connection at www.visaconnection.biz.
Please note: Non-U.S. citizens will need a visa for entry into almost all countries. Non-U.S. citizens should visit the embassy of the country they are traveling to for more information on what is needed for entry requirements, as they may vary. Non-U.S. citizens are responsible for obtaining a visa on their own directly through the embassy as our recommended visa service, ZVS, can only arrange for visas for U.S. and Canadian citizens.
Do I need a passport to go to Mexico and/or Canada?
Yes! As of January 2007, all United States citizens are required to have a valid passport for travel outside of the United States.
For more details on obtaining or renewing a passport, please visit the US Department of State.
What vaccinations are required?
You should consult your doctor regarding recommended vaccinations for traveling to your destinations. You can also visit the travel section of the Centers for Disease Control website for the most up-to-date information.
Are there any age restrictions?
We do not accept applications for travelers under the age of 10.
As our prices are based on student rates, adults age 23 and older are welcome to participate, however, they are responsible
for paying a flat adult supplement. Adults (23 years of age or older) are automatically placed
in twin rooms unless a single room is selected and paid for at the time of enrollment. The adult rooming supplement fee for
US travelers is $30 per night ($70 per night on ferries and cruise ships) and $65 per night for a single room. For Canadian
travelers it is $40 per night ($95 per night on ferries and cruise ships) and $80 per night for a single room. Roommates are
assigned by your Group Leader and requests should be given to your Group Leader 60 days prior to your departure.
I'm under 18. Do I need to do anything special?
The governments of certain countries require parental consent for a minor to enter. This document needs to
be completed prior to departure and taken with the traveler on tour. The forms below must be signed and notarized in order for each
student to enter the country. Each traveler must present the form, along with a valid passport, to the airline attendant upon checking
in. Download the Parental Consent Form for Minors Traveling to Costa
Rica or for Minors Traveling to Mexico. Any specific questions or
concerns regarding the necessity of these forms or how to complete them should be directed toward the embassy of the country being visited.
Minors may NOT travel with us unless one of the following conditions is met:
Do you offer travel protection
Does Architecture Addiction / Explorica offer travel protection?
Yes. We recommend that all travelers purchase travel protection to cover them while
traveling. Although you can purchase Medical, Baggage & Property,
and Cancellation & Interruption Protection separately, we recommend
our Travel Protection Plan
which includes all three of the above packages at a substantial
discount.
Am I required to purchase the Travel Protection Plan?
You are not required to pay for the travel protection, but we do highly recommend this for all travelers.
When should I pay for my Travel Protection Plan?
We recommend you pay for your TravelSafe Plan soon after making your field trip reservation. The travel protection isn’t active until you pay for it.
Can you tell me more about flights and airlines
Is airfare included?
No. If we all lived in the same town, we would certainly include airfare in the price. But since our readers are coming from all over the world, each traveler will be responsible for purchasing their own airplane tickets. More information about this will be sent to you upon enrollment.
Where would I meet the group?
You would provide your own transportation from the airport and meet the group at the first hotel on the tour.
Can I get frequent flyer miles?
Yes! Each traveler is responsible for arranging his or her own flight, so please take advantage of every frequent flyer program that you possibly can. Our field trips help you to rack up points fast! And, if you've already accrued a substantial number of frequent flyer points, consider using them when arranging your flight.
Can you tell me more about what I should bring?
How many pieces of luggage should I bring with me? What are the weight limits?
We recommend that you bring one carry-on and one piece of large luggage.
Due to limited space on the bus, travelers should not bring excess
luggage. Weight limits are determined by the individual airlines.
Will there be a hair dryer in all the hotel rooms?
Many hotels in Europe do have hair dryers in each room, but this is not guaranteed. We recommend you bring along a converter if you need a hair dryer every day, or buy one when you arrive in Europe.
Can I do laundry during the field trip?
It is common for one hotel on each tour to have a laundry service, but most hotels do not have a self-service laundry facility.
Do I need a converter/adapter? Where can I get one?
When traveling outside the U.S., you will need a converter/adapter for any electrical device. You can purchase one at your local electronics store.
Should I buy a phone card?
Prior to departure, all Architecture Addiction travelers receive an international phonecard with a $5 credit in their final documents package. We recommend that you take advantage of our international phone rates by using this card. If you pre-load your phone card before you go, you will receive an additional $5 bonus credit on your phone card.
When will I receive my luggage tags and travel bag?
You will received your luggage tags and bag with your tickets 10-12 days prior to departure via express delivery mail.
What type of currency will I need on my tour?
This will depend on your destination. We recommend bringing a small amount
of local currency to avoid exchanging money upon arrival, especially if you will be arriving on a Sunday. For the latest currency exchange rates, click here.
Can you tell me more about the hotels, meals and transportation
What kind of hotels do you use?
We carefully select our hotels to ensure the best possible experience for
your travel dollar. Every hotel that Architecture Addiction uses is
chosen based on location, comfort, cleanliness and local flavor.
In all of our accommodations, you can count on a private bath or shower. Rest assured that all hotel taxes and tips for restaurant service and baggage handling are included in the price of your tour.
Can I choose from a list of hotels to stay in or do you select the hotels?
We will make all hotel arrangements for the group.
What are the choices for accommodations (twin, double, single)?
We offer the choice for
double occupancy rooms (two twin beds or one double bed). We can
accommodate singles; a single room fee will apply.
Do you have roommate matching?
We do not offer roomate matching on our field trips. We do however, offer a low single supplement on all of our field trips that will keep the cost low for those traveling alone.
Are meals included?
All of our field trips include at least one meal a day...some two...and some field trips even include three meals a day!
I have special meal requirements; can you accommodate me?
Yes. We make every effort to accommodate special meal requests. Please
notify us of these requests when you make your reservation.
Does Architecture Addiction accommodate physically challenged travelers?
We make the best effort to accommodate all travelers. We can not
accommodate seeing eye dogs. Travelers who use a wheelchair will
require a travel companion who can manage their needs (lifting the
wheelchair, pushing the wheelchair/scooter.) Please contact us to discuss your needs before making a reservation.
What if I need to cancel my trip?
You (or your parent or guardian if you are under 18) may contact our travel company, Explorica, to inquire about cancellations.
Official cancellation requests MUST be faxed to us at 888.310.7088 or emailed to cancellations@explorica.com.
We offer all travelers the option of purchasing our Travel Protection Plan, which includes a Cancel for Any Reason Benefit.
For more information about benefit rules and timelines, please see the Travel Protection
section of our website. Please note: If you are due a refund after cancellation, processing takes approximately four to six weeks.
Will my reservations be cancelled if I do not make my payments?
If you do not meet the conditions of your payment plan, your reservations will be cancelled and
standard cancellation fees will apply.
What is the refund policy?
If your account has an overpayment our travel company, Explorica, will process your refund once all funds have cleared the bank.
This usually takes about 2-3 weeks from the time the refund is posted. If your account has been cancelled, any refund due will be
processed 4-6 weeks from the date of cancellation. If you purchased the Travel
Protection Plan, you may submit a claim to Trip Mate. Our travel company Explorica issues refunds in the same
method payments were made. Please note that Explorica cannot refund credit cards that were not originally used for payments, or that
exceed the total amount charged to that card. Please contact Explorica at 888.310.7121 with questions concerning your refund.
What if I have special needs or disabilities?
Students or adults with special needs or physical disabilities may travel with us. Please let us know in
advance of your departure and we will do everything we can to accommodate your needs. Please note: some bus companies and hotels are
not wheelchair accessible. We ask that you contact your Program Consultant or a Customer Care Representative with your specific needs.
What happens if there if a travel delay?
Travel can be unpredictable and arrival times are not guaranteed.
What happens if I wait too long to sign up?
All enrollments and reinstatements for INTERNATIONAL field trips received less than 99 days prior to departure are subject to a $125 late sign up fee and must immediately be paid in full, including the service fee. After late applications have been received, additional charges (for last-minute flight reservations, increased Tour Fees, etc) may apply. You will be notified of these additional fees before any charges are made. Late applicants will be placed on a waiting list and be marked "pending" while we look into securing hotel and flight reservations. Over 90% of our wait-listed participants are accepted. Any participant reinstating under 99 days prior to departure must pay a $50 reinstatement fee in addition to the late sign up fee. All current tour costs will apply, as well as any previous late payment fees or selected optionals.
All enrollments and reinstatements for NORTH AMERICAN field trips received less than 75 days prior to departure (60 days for bus groups) will be subject to a $95 late enrollment fee ($25 for bus groups) and must be paid in full immediately. After late applications have been received, additional charges (for increased Tour Fees, etc) may apply. Late applicants will be placed on a waiting list; if no space becomes available we'll refund the full payment minus any reinstatement or previous cancellation fees that may apply.
I want to come, but I need a payment plan! Can you help me out?
We offer three convenient payment plans and accept Visa and MasterCard (credit and debit), checks, electronic checking account payments and money orders. Payments can be made online, over the telephone or by mail.
Checks should be made payable to Explorica and sent to:
Explorica, Inc
145 Tremont Street, 6th floor
Boston, MA 02111
International Field Trip Monthly Automated Plan:
Pay your $95 Explorica Membership Fee plus any travel protection plan fees with a credit card or checking account upon enrollment, and the balance of your Tour Fee will be automatically charged to your card or debited from your account in equal monthly installments until 65 days prior to your departure date. Please note that you must make all payments by credit card, debit card, or checking account. If two consecutive payments are returned NSF or declined, we will change your account to the 3-Step Manual Plan.
International Field Trip Full Payment Plan:
Pay in full at time of enrollment.
International Field Trip 3-Step Manual Plan:
Pay your $95 Membership Fee upon enrollment, and then pay $500 toward your balance 30 days later. The total remaining balance is due 99 days prior to departure. You must make each payment manually.
North America Field Trip Monthly Automated Plan:
Pay your $100 nonrefundable deposit plus any travel protection plan fees with a credit card or checking account upon enrollment, and the balance of your Tour Fee will be automatically charged to your card or debited from your account in equal monthly installments until 65 days (45 days for bus groups) prior to your departure date. Please note that you must make all payments by credit card, debit card, or checking account. If two consecutive payments are returned NSF or declined, we will change your account to the 3-Step Manual Plan.
North America Field Trip Full Payment Plan:
Pay in full at the time of enrollment.
North America Field Trip Manual Payment Plan (on field trips that include internal flights):
Pay $100 non-refundable deposit (and any selected travel protection costs) at enrollment, a $200 down payment 30 days after your enrollment is processed, and your tour balance 75 days prior to departure.
Manual Payment Plan (on field trips that include internal bus travel):
Pay $100 non-refundable deposit (and any selected travel protection costs) at enrollment, then the remaining balance is due 60 days prior to departure.
Will the field trips be in English?
Yes. All field trips (those conducted by your local guides and by your field trip director) will be in English.
Do I have the option of doing more than what's on the itinerary?
Absolutely! We offer optional excursions on most of our field trips to provide flexibility to your itinerary. Any excursion labeled “optional” on the tour description is not included in your tour fee and may be added, for an additional cost, to your itinerary. To find out more about Optional Excursion costs, see Optional Excursion section of our Terms and Conditions.
While most optional excursions can be booked during your tour, we recommend that you book them prior to departure to ensure availability. Some excursions, such as the optional Versailles excursion, are pre-book only and must be booked before departure. A minimum of 20 participants is required in order to run each activity.
Can I arrive before or stay after the scheduled field trips?
Absolutely! Most, if not all, field trips offer the option of arriving a few days early or staying behind for a few more days. We are very flexible!