Reservations and booking
How can I make my reservation?
You can reserve a spot on an Architecture Addiction field trip online via the reservation form for any field trip on our Schedule page.
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 tour and to lock in the current tour price.
Many of our travelers reserve their trips six to nine months in advance.
Can I reserve my vacation 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 supplement, which can be found on each field trip's page.
Travel protection
Click here to learn more about our TravelSafe Plan
Does Architecture Addiction 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 TravelSafe Plus Plan
which includes all three of the above packages at a substantial
discount. Additionally, ask one of our tour consultants about our Anytime Protection Plan, an added benefit you will receive when you purchase the TravelSafe Plus Plan within two weeks of making your reservation.
Download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Insurance booklet here.
Will I receive a travel protection card?
You
will not receive a travel protection card. If you purchase the
TravelSafe Plan, the tour director and our office personnel will have
documentation indicating that you are covered.
Am I required to purchase the TravelSafe 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 TravelSafe 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.
Does the travel protection cover me pre- or post-field trip when I am traveling on my own?
The travel protection does not cover you when you are traveling on your own
pre- or post-field trip. You can buy supplemental extended travel
protection for up to a maximum of 15 days at the rate of $10 per person per day.
Payments and discounts
What is Architecture Addiction's payment schedule?
Upon booking, a deposit of $300 is due ($450 for cruises). The remaining balance is due 70 days prior to departure (90 days prior to departure for cruises). You will receive an invoice directly from our travel company.
What types of payments do you accept?
We accept your deposit online through PayPal, which allows you to pay with using your PayPal account,
MasterCard, or VISA. Once your Field trip is reserved, you may pay your invoice with
MasterCard, VISA, American Express, personal check, and/or money order.
Do you offer senior citizen discounts?
We do not offer any special discounts based on age group.
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.
Will I receive a printed receipt after I pay for my tour and make the final payment?
When you make your final payment you can request an invoice indicating you
are paid in full. Otherwise you will not receive a printed receipt.
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.
What if I lost my confirmation form and didn’t send it in?
You can confirm your reservations online by logging into your online account.
You will be asked to enter you customer number and web password, which
can be found on your invoice. Please review your tour information,
passport names and emergency contact. You will then have the option to
accept the information or make changes. Please be sure to also read and
accept the Terms and Conditions.
Should I tip the tour director, bus driver and local guides?
Yes.
We recommend that you tip your tour director $3-5 per day of tour and
your bus driver $2-3 per day of tour. You may tip the local guides at
your own discretion. All will accept local currency or U.S. dollars.
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.
How many dress outfits do I need? Do I need a tuxedo or blazer?
We recommend that people bring one or two dress outfits if
you plan on going out to a nice restaurant or to an opera and/or
concert. On our land tours (non-cruise) there is no need to bring a
tuxedo or blazer.
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 on tour?
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.
Flights and airlines
What airlines do you use?
All round-trip air travel on our tours is on regularly scheduled flights with major airlines. It is always our goal to get you to and from your destination with a maximum of comfort and convenience. We now feature business class upgrades, available on select tours.
My traveling companion and I are departing from different cities; can we
meet up and travel together on the same overseas flights?
In some cases we can arrange for travelers to meet up for the international departure. This may result in additional fees and airline cost.
When you make your reservation let us know that you would like us to call you to discuss this option.
What would be the additional cost to upgrade to business class or first class for my flights?
Business
class upgrades are available on many of our tours on a request basis
and are only available on Trans-Atlantic flights. (Upgrades run
approximately $2,900 for all tours to Europe; $4,500 for tours to Australia; $2000 for tours to Egypt).
When you make your reservation let us know that you would like us to call you to discuss this option.
Can I get a direct flight from my departure city?
Direct flights are not guaranteed, but if you would like a direct flight we can look into the availability. Additional cost may apply. Please call for details.
Can I reserve my own domestic flights directly with the airlines?
This is permitted but not recommended. If you choose to make your own reservations, we are not responsible for missed connections or delayed arrival on your tour.
Are your travel dates flexible? Can I fly ahead of time or stay after?
Yes. On most of our tours we can arrange for
you to arrive and/or depart on dates different from those scheduled.
Such requests must be made before the final payment date and a $125
deviation fee will apply. You will also be responsible for paying any additional airline fees.
Can I fly into or out of a different international gateway than the rest of the group?
This is a possibility. Such requests must be made before the final payment
date and a $125 deviation fee will apply. You will also be responsible for paying any additional airline fees. Please call for details.
Can I purchase your tour without airfare?
On some tours a land-only option is available (exotic destinations excluded). Travelers opting for a land-only tour must handle their own airport transfers and internal flights.
Where would I meet the group if I arrange my own flights?
You would provide your own transportation from the airport and meet the group at the first hotel on the tour.
When will I receive my flight information?
Your preliminary flight itinerary will be mailed approximately six weeks
prior to departure. Your final itinerary and flight documents will be
mailed about 10-12 days prior to departure.
When will I receive my tickets? How do I receive my tickets? Why do I have to sign for them?
Your tickets will be mailed about 10-12 days prior to departure via express
delivery. We require a signature to secure delivery of your travel
documents. We will require a physical address (no P.O. boxes).
Do you use e-tickets? How can I tell if I have e-tickets?
It is possible that you will be issued e-tickets. If you do not receive paper tickets, you will receive a flight itinerary and a passenger receipt for
your tour. On the passenger receipt in the top left corner you will see
ETKT. You will just need a photo identification to check in at the
airport.
Can I request seat assignments for fights?
We do not provide seat assignments. Once your preliminary flight itinerary is
issued, you can call the airlines to arrange your seat assignments.
Please note: Making seat assignments prior to 30 days before your departure could cancel your reservation.
Can I earn frequent flyer miles on my Architecture Addiction field trip?
We can not guarantee that the airlines will award frequent flyer miles for our flight reservations. It is at the airline’s discretion.
Can I use frequent flyer miles to upgrade to business and/or first class?
We do not allow the use of frequent flyer miles for upgrades. If you want to use your frequent flyer miles, you would need to make your own flight arrangements with the airlines.
What do I do once I reach my final destination?
Once you reach your final destination, you will retrieve your luggage and
proceed to customs and immigration. An official will check your
passport (and visa if applicable). After you clear customs, you will proceed to the arrivals hall and look for
a representative from Architecture Addiction, who will escort you to
your hotel. Prior to departure, you will be given a 24-hour emergency
assistance number in case you have any concerns once you reach your final destination.
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. Your final hotel list will be sent to you with your airline tickets.
Do the hotels all have private baths?
All hotels we use have private in-room facilities with a shower or a shower/tub combination.
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 supplement will apply. On select
field trips, we also offer triple occupancy rooms.
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.
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 is the seating capacity on your motorcoaches?
Depending on the number of travelers, our motorcoaches have seating capacity for between 48 and 52 people. For smaller groups, a smaller bus may be used. Transportation for our Kenya safaris will be in an eight-person safari vehicle, all with window seating.
Can I request seat assignments for the motorcoach?
No. Motorcoach seating operates on an honor system. Customers are expected to rotate seats every day.
Do your motorcoaches feature air-conditioning?
Motorcoaches have air conditioning with
the following exception: we are not able to guarantee air conditioning
on tours to Russia, Scandinavia, UK, Ireland, China, Morocco and Kenya.
Do your motorcoaches have bathrooms?
Most motorcoaches we use have restrooms, with
the exception of those in the following countries: Russia, Turkey,
Ireland, Morocco, Kenya, China, Mexico and Costa Rica. In these
countries, frequent restroom stops will be made.
Sightseeing, optional excursions and extensions
Will the sightseeing 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.
Must I join the group for all the included guided field trips?
During the field trip you are completely at liberty to enjoy your vacation as
you wish. If you prefer to spend time at your leisure on a day that
includes a guided field trip, you may certainly do so. If the group is transferring from one city to the next, however, you must continue on with the group. Refunds will not be available for portions of the tour you choose not to attend.
What are optional excursions? Do you pay for optional excursions? (what kind of payment?)
On almost every field trip we offer optional excursions to enhance the cultural experience for our travelers. You can pre-pay for optional excursions up to 20 days prior to departure. In most cases, you can also book and pay for
optional excursions during your field trip. If you pay during your
field trip, we accept U.S. dollars as well as Visa, MasterCard and
American Express.
Please Note: Reservations for the Guided Tour of Vatican City must be pre-booked 35 days prior to your departure due to new restrictions imposed by the Vatican.
You can also sign up and pay for optional excursions online by logging into at your online account.
You will be asked to enter you customer number and web password, which
can be found on your invoice. Once you have logged into your account
select your upcoming tour, which you will find listed on the left and
click on Add Optional Excursions.
Will I receive a voucher for my optional excursions?
If you have reserved an optional excursion, you will not receive a
voucher. The field trip director will be notified prior to your
departure of the optional excursions you have reserved.
Will there be enough spaces on your optional excursions?
Yes. There will always be enough spaces on our optional excursions to accommodate all travelers on that field trip. In the case of high enrollment, we will make the necessary arrangements to accommodate everyone.
Cruises
Can I do laundry on the cruise?
All the cruises we offer do have a laundry service available on board.
What if I lost my Passenger Registration form and never sent it to you?
Please call us immediately; our number is on your invoice. We need your
Passenger Registration form to process your cruise documents.
When should I receive my cruise documents?
You will receive your cruise documents with the rest of your final documents (flight information, hotels, etc.) about 10-12 days prior to departure.
How many dress outfits do I need for the cruise? Do I need a tuxedo or blazer?
You will want to bring two nice outfits for
formal evenings. Travelers cruising on the Queen Mary should bring a
dark suit and tie and avoid wearing jeans. Norwegian Cruise Lines are
more fashionably relaxed (no formal dress is required).
Are shore excursions included in the price?
Shore excursions are not included with the cost of the field trip. You will receive more details on shore excursions with your final documents.
Is there always a field trip director on cruise field trips?
Cruise field trip with at least 20 travelers will have a field trip director.