ACCOMMODATIONS
It is suggested to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours prior to departure for international flights. If you do arrive early, this is the perfect time to grab a snack, review your Study Guide, and relax as you begin your journey!
Luggage is limited to one large suitcase per person, one carry-on bag that fits in the overhead compartment, and one personal bag that fits under the seat. Be sure to check with your airline for size and weight limits (usually not to exceed 40-50 lbs. for large suitcases), as airline restrictions may vary. For overweight bags, you may be charged a large penalty.
When traveling internationally, travel insurance should be one of your biggest priorities. Travel insurance can help you in the event of trip delays/interruption prior to or post travel, lost luggage, sickness, or medical-related issues, and more depending on your policy and coverage. Imagine personally recommends travel insurance through Travel Guard, an AIG Company. To contact them, please call 1-800-826-5248 and reference agent code 127152. Alternatively, you can click here for more information.
We work with all major airlines, as well as several domestic airlines to get you to your final destination! As each trip varies from departure city and flight ability, we do our best to get you to your destination in the most efficient ways possible, however that can vary due to seasonality and other large factors. We primarily work with Air Canada, American, Delta, El-Al, Lufthansa, Turkish, United and more. To find out which airline you and your group are on, we recommend contacting your Tour Host, or your Operations Representative for more information.
As we do our best to keep our prices competitive, we work with all major airlines to obtain group contracts. With that in mind, all our fares are based on economy (or similar) seating unless specified otherwise. Because of this, we are unable to accept SkyMiles®/Frequent Flyer or other point systems for seating. In addition, we are unable to upgrade to economy plus (or similar) as the airlines tend to keep those seats for individual ticket holders. We can however upgrade you to first class/business and recommend contacting your Operations Representative for more information on how to do so.
All of our airport taxes, or “air taxes”, are prepaid for you on every trip. This is required by the airlines at the time of ticket issuing, so we go ahead and pay this in advance. This helps to save you and other travelers time during check-in so that you can make your way quickly through security and to your gate with ample time to spare.
While the simple answer is yes, there are many factors that go into this question. In order to keep our prices competitive, we work with all major airlines to obtain a group contract in which we’re able to pass down the savings to you, the traveler. In instances where you may wish to travel from another departure city, we are only able to accommodate requests inside of the continental U.S., Alaska and Hawaii. With this there may be an additional fee imposed by the airlines, and we may need to request additional payments to obtain your tickets in a timely manner due to limited availability. For those looking to join a trip from outside of the U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii, you will need to travel as “Land Only” per the back of your tour brochure and secure your own flights.
For all flight requests, please be sure to contact your Operations Representative as soon as possible. While all requests are at the discretion of the airline, we’re happy to accept any regarding seating arrangements, food allergies, and things of that nature. For food allergies or dietary preferences, please be sure to include this in your request. For example, some travelers may opt for vegan, kosher, gluten-free, lactose-free, or similar meal options. The more specific you are able to be with your initial request, the better we are able to communicate this to the airlines and service you. For those that need wheelchair assistance, please convey this to your Operations Representative.
Yes, absolutely! If you are eligible for TSA Precheck or have a known traveler number, please provide this with your initial registration so that we can submit this to the appropriate airline. The sooner you are able to provide this to us, the better we are able to service you. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your Operations Representative.
Nearly all our tours (unless specified otherwise) stay in 4-star (or better) hotels. For countries like Israel and Greece, these are comparable to Marriott Courtyard. Each room will have a private bath, a TV, and a phone. Some, but not all, will have irons and hair dryers. If they are not in the room, check with the front desk. Most rooms typically feature 2 doubles, or 1 king bed. For parties of 3 or larger, some rooms feature a pop-up or rollable cot-style bed for children. If you have a specific preference or need, please reach out to your Operations Representative to submit a request.
We do our best to accommodate all requests, however some hotels and cruises do not have the proper accommodations every time. Many hotels overseas do offer adjoining rooms, and some may offer suites with multiple rooms in addition to a common space, however these are on a first come first serve basis. If you know in advance that you need adjoining rooms or would prefer to be nearby friends and family, please be sure to let your Operations Representative know promptly.
Many of our hotels and cruises can accommodate machinery such as CPAP, but this will need to be communicated to us upon registration to make the proper arrangements. If you have forgotten to inform us, please contact your Operations Representative promptly so that we can make the appropriate reservations for you.
PACKAGES
An option is the opportunity to participate in additional sightseeing during leisure time. All options must be purchased by final payment and cannot be added afterwards.
An extension is an addition to the basic tour. For example, if your tour is a 10-day tour you may be able to add an additional 3-4 days of touring if this is offered by your Tour Host. These are generally pre-determined itineraries and can be found in your brochure. If your Tour Host chooses to add an extension after the tour has begun advertising, please contact your Operations Representative for more information. All extensions must be purchased by final payment and cannot be added afterwards.
A deviation from a tour occurs when a passenger requests: (1) to leave the tour within it’s progress, (2) to be ticketed as an individual (e.g. earlier or later return, not with the group), or (3) return later than the group is scheduled to return back. In most cases, this is when someone wishes to stay after the planned tour or needs to return before the tour has been completed. Please understand that deviation fees are subject to change by the airlines. Not all deviation requests will be available. Remember, no group travel situation will ever meet all individual desires.
If you’re looking to book a private tour for you and your friends, we can operate groups with as few as 10 total travelers. If you’re looking to travel individually, we are unable to accommodate this request as we solely operate group travel currently.
This question is entirely dependent on which destination you and your group are traveling to, along with any extensions before or after your trip. In Israel, the transportation limits are as follows: 7-seater limousine, 10-seater zoto-bus, and 19-seater midi-bus. The motor coaches in Israel contain capacities of 19, 30, 47, 51, 55, or 59 passengers. (Please note, the buses in Israel do not have bathrooms onboard.) The buses in Jordan are 30- and 47-seaters while the Egyptian buses are 10- to 51-seaters similar to those in Israel. In Italy and Greece, the maximum seating is 48. In Europe, there are double-deckers available that can seat as many as 69 passengers. We normally do not exceed 45 people in a motor coach unless the tour host decides otherwise. Remember that the larger buses cannot fit into the tight streets for up-close sightseeing, so in some cases you may have to walk up stairs to reach certain areas.
Absolutely! All our guides are licensed, highly trained, and extremely passionate about what they do and share an “insiders” view of the sites you’ll visit. Many of our guides are fluent in English, as well as several other languages such as Spanish, their native tongue and more. To find out more about your guide prior to travel, please contact your Tour Host for more information.
Service charges, as imposed by hotels, and taxes levied by local municipalities are included in your tour price. See your specific brochure for U.S. and international airport taxes. Each program varies, so please read your brochure and tour conditions for specific inclusions/exclusions. Most standard tip expenses are included in the price of the tour (see tour brochure for details). This includes tips for your guides, drivers, maître d, front desk, and hotel porters who deliver your bags to your room and back to the bus. The Tour Host should handle the distribution of these tips. If you utilize any special services, please tip generously. In Europe it’s not uncommon for them to add a city tax for all travelers. This has become more common post-COVID and will need to be paid for by the individual traveler directly to the hotel at time of check-in/check-out.
While we do not offer standard coupon or discount codes, we do offer “early birds” on many of our trips. These can be found on the front of your trip’s brochure or registration form, or on our online registration. Early bird incentives vary depending on the price of the tour, as well as several other factors including (but not limited to) the time before departure. Please be sure to speak with your Tour Host for any questions regarding incentives prior to registration.
In most cases, yes! Nearly all of our trips offer a “Land Only” option found on the back of the brochure in which the group fare for flights is not included. If you wish to secure your own flights to-and-from your trip, we recommend this option. Service charges, as imposed by hotels, and taxes levied by local municipalities are still included in your tour price, as well as tipping. For U.S. & Canadian Citizens, we will still obtain any applicable visas with the exception of Turkey.
No. Currently, we are unable to apply and provide any applicable visas for those who do not carry a U.S. or Canadian passport, and you will be responsible for obtain the appropriate visas for any countries you are visiting. Imagine is not responsible for non-U.S. & Canadian passport holders.
Absolutely! Prior to departure between 21-28 days, we will ship your Final Documents to your Tour Host. If you live more than an hour away (or in another state), these will be sent direct via FedEx or UPS and require a direct signature. These documents contain your luggage and name tags, a finalized hotel list and land itinerary, airline ticket and flight itinerary (if applicable), insurance information (if applicable) and a Study Guide for your destination (if applicable). If you need your documents sent to another location due to travel or you’re away, please contact your Operations Representative promptly before these are mailed to you.
CUSTOMS
No. U.S. law requires every citizen traveling outside of the country to secure his or her own passport personally. First time applicants must apply in person. Applications can be found at your nearest passport office, courthouse, post office, or online at travel.state.gov.
A copy of your valid passport must be submitted to our office by 100 days (120 for Greece) prior to departure. Each passenger is responsible for making sure that they have a valid passport that has an expiration date at least six months after the date of return from their trip. When submitting your passport, please be sure to enclose a copy of the photo page.
Purchases and gifts can be brought into the U.S. duty-free up to a retail value of $800 per person (as of 06/2023). Also, one liter of liquor/wine per adult is allowed duty-free. Most purchases more than this are subject to duty payments. If you ship purchases, you may be charged duty when the delivery is made. Be sure to declare all necessary goods purchased and keep in mind any restrictions on incoming products per government regulations. For more information, please visit the US Dept. of Homeland Security’s website.
Always carry your passport with you. DO NOT pack your passport into your checked luggage. You will need it for customs before getting your luggage. Also, passport numbers are required on Declaration Forms given to you on the return flight. These forms require you to declare all foreign merchandise that you are bringing into the country. We recommend travelers always keep their passport on them when traveling abroad. “A person without a passport, is a person without a country.”
COST
To start, all forms of payment must be in U.S. currency, as we do not accept foreign currency for payment (e.g., Mexico, Canada, etc.). To pay for your trip, we accept up to $500 for the initial deposit on a credit or debit card. All other payments must be made in the form of a check (personal or cashier’s) or money order and mailed to our office. For international travelers or last-minute registrations, we also accept wire transfers. For more information about wire transfers, please contact your Operations Representative.
Some of our tours offer a reduction for children between the ages of two and 11 by the date of departure. A child must leave and return prior to their “twelfth birthday” to qualify. However, not all fares provide this discount. It is important that you check with our office about a child’s reduced fare prior to sending in registration forms or paying deposits. Please note: The airlines will check your children’s passports if they have a discounted airfare to be sure they are the age they claim.
No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour once the trip begins. Also, imagine Tours & Travel is not responsible for cancellation penalties imposed by the airlines if you change your itinerary. If you are forced to leave the tour early due to medical reasons, we highly encourage you to reach out to your travel insurance for any form of compensation. For more information regarding travel insurance, please refer to the “Do I need travel insurance?” question in Air & Accommodations above.
Yes, but with certain provisions. Refund policies apply on tour-by-tour basis, and you should consult the “fine print” section of your tour program brochure. In most cases, there is a minimum $300.00 administration fee plus any applicable airline penalties if cancellation is made before final payment – 100 days prior to departure. In some cases, airline cancellation fees may be waived if you can present a medical certificate showing illness as cause of cancellation. Refunds are always limited to the amount recoverable by imagine Tours & Travel, and no more. Ordinarily, it takes eight to ten weeks to process and pay a refund. We strongly urge all tour members to purchase some form of optional recommended travel insurance. In addition, if your travel involves a cruise these fees can vary. Please consult with your Operations Representative if you have any questions regarding cancellation fees for your upcoming trip.
Yes. All prices are based on double occupancy (two people sharing a room). If you require a single room, there is a higher cost involved. Check the “Accommodations” section of your tour brochure to find out what this supplemental charge may be. Triple rooms are also available to help eliminate the need for a single room. For more information, please feel free to reach out to your Operations Representative.
Currently, we do not accept any finance options. For passengers looking to finance their trip, we highly recommend speaking to your personal financial institution or local bank for the best method to proceed forward. We also do not offer payment plans in-house.
This varies by tour, however most tours are between 100-120 days prior to departure. Please refer to your tour brochure or reach out to your Operations Representative for more information.
PACK
A recommended packing list would include:
- 3-5 pairs of pants, shorts, or capris
- 1 shirt per day
- Undergarments (including undershirts)
- Bathing suit
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Accessories (light jacket, raincoat, umbrella, sunglasses, sunscreen, and hat)
Choose your clothing based on comfort and packing space. Casual dress is the code, formal clothing is unnecessary. Please be aware however that some holy sites and churches may require men to cover their head (any hat is fine) and everyone to cover their shoulders and knees.
We highly recommend dressing in layers. There is a lot of walking and sightseeing that lasts most of your day. Make sure to pack a good pair of walking shoes that are already broken in. When packing, keep in mind that you will want to leave room for souvenirs.
Please note: While most hotels do offer laundry services, it can be expensive. If needed, please discuss directly with your guide for alternative laundry options. You may also wish to pack a few travel packets of laundry detergent.
Liquids are only allowed in small quantities in your carry-on bag, so most toiletries should be in your checked luggage. Save space by bringing travel-sized products. Since liquids tend to expand at high altitudes, it is best to pack liquids in screw-top bottles and store them in plastic bags in case they spill. We also recommend bringing plastic shopping bags or trash bags as these will be useful later when packing wet bathing suits, washcloths, or dirty shoes. Some hotels abroad do not provide washcloths or facial soap. If these are desired, please be sure to bring your own.
Most European and Middle Eastern countries use 220 volts instead of the 120 volts used in the USA. An adapter (which changes the shape of the plug) and/or a converter (to change the electric current) are necessary if you plan to use an electric appliance in a foreign country. Some hotels now provide USB ports in the rooms to charge your devices, however adapter/convertors are still highly recommended. Universal adapters and converters can be purchased at most brick-and-mortar stores, or your favorite online retailers.
We suggest ladies do not bring a purse unless absolutely necessary. We do encourage everyone to bring a small bag for snacks, cameras, etc. while on the motor coach. Bags can usually be left on the coach while you visit sites, but please note that imagine cannot be responsible for items lost, stolen, or left behind.
Cameras are welcome at most sites throughout the tour. Remember to bring a good supply of memory cards and/or batteries since they can be hard to find overseas. Alternatively, many travelers may forget that their modern smartphone provides for a sufficient camera in many instances where extra baggage for large-format cameras can be uncomfortable during long walks, hikes, or standing periods.