ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Are transfers included & how do I meet my group? 
We strongly recommend that you arrive at least one day earlier than the start of your tour in order to acclimate to any time differences. You will be given instructions on how to meet your tour and it is your responsibility to be there at the designated time. If you pre-arrange it with Andiamo we can pick you up at your hotel or airport of the designated starting town. We will also, upon request, make any pre and post tour hotel reservations, supply train schedule information  or help with your continued travel itinerary

What will I do with my luggage?
Your luggage will be transferred on the trip by our guides. It will be waiting in your room, ready for you when you arrive each day. You never need carry your bags during a tour.

How fit do I need to be?
Each tour is rated from easy to intermediate. Even though we can alter any route to cater to your preferred pace and distance, you will have the best time if you select a tour right for you. Our tours are not races, they stop frequently for cultural intake, gelato and photo ops.

Tour/Fitness rating information:
The tour rating system is a guideline to assist you in choosing the tour right for you. Regardless of the rating we can always divide the group and offer routes that suit your preferred pace & distance. The only tour in which we cannot accommodate alternate routes are the Alp trek or the Big Sur bike tour.

Biking: 
Easy: Terrain is mostly all flat, distances are from 20-30 miles/day. 
Moderate: Terrain is varied with some short hill climbs. Distance of 20-40 miles. 
Advanced: hilly, most days with long ascents--distances 40-50 miles.
(alternative routes are always available for more or less distance for tours)

Hiking 
Easy: 2-6 miles/day of mostly flat terrain.
Moderate: 6-8 miles of varied terrain with occasional steep or long climbs and descents.
Advanced: 8-12 mile days of varied terrain with many steep or long climbs and descents

Do the hotels all have private bath? 
Yes, unless stated otherwise in the tour description such as in our extreme treks glacier crossing portion of the tour. The hotels we select are our pride and joy-they are always tasteful and culturally representative with friendly staffs and serving authentic cuisine.
Hotel Rating of 3 to 5 star are assigned to each tour and always have private bath unless stated otherwise in the tour description or if we schedule special activities where the destination does not provide at least 3 star (usually meaning it is well worth it or the place is very special culturally).

What will I need to bring? 
We've created a list to help you with your planning on our What You Will Need web page. Just click to see. Or you can call or Email info@andiamoadventures.com for tour specific suggestions.

What is the profile of your tour groups?
This is almost impossible to say as each tour is unique in its makeup. Ages typically range from 30-65 years of age. Most people are active individuals ready to enjoy themselves.

What's Included in our tour?
All Hotel Accommodations: Double occupancy; single rooms are available in most locations at an additional cost. 
Guides: As well as our 2 experienced guides, each tour may use local guides to enhance your tour experience. 
Meals: Usually all dinners, but one/two from a full menu, all breakfast and one gourmet picnic lunch on scheduled tours--see specific tour for exact details.
Entrance Fees to all Tours & Special Events scheduled in the tour itinerary
Extensive Route Notes & Maps
Bicycle Support Vehicle and any Inner-trip transfers 
Bicycle Gear: Quality 27-gear bicycles will be available & helmets (if requested), handlebar bags, water bottles & emergency tire repair kits-ALL included in the tour price. quality road or e-bikes are available on most tours at an additional reasonable rental fee.

What's not Included?
Airfare is not included in the price of the tour; nor is travel insurance of any type. 
Typically any beverages or as stated in itinerary.
Additional expenses arising from delay or extension of transportation or other causes beyond our reasonable control during the conducting of a tour.
Guide Tips: It is customary to tip your guides at your discretion.

What is the single supplement?
We normally charge 10-15% extra to the listed tour price for single rooms. We always try to provide a double room for single use unless not available or possible--
If you don't mind sharing a room we will do our best to find a compatible guest to avoid this surcharge.

How early should we arrive before a tour?
We highly recommend that you arrive at least two days prior to your tour date in order to acclimate to any time differences, thus being prepared to fully enjoy your tour. For your convenience, we are able to make reservations at recommended hotels in major cities before or after your tour. When making your tour reservations, please inquire about hotel selections.

Do you assist with onward travel and Departures? 
We gladly assist with any pre-tour hotel arrangements and your guide will assist you in purchasing any onward train tickets. If you need advise on onward travel please ask and we will gladly design an itinerary to your interest at no extra fee.

What are the best family tours you offer?
We try to design all of our tours with family-minded alternatives. We can also alter any tour route or activity to cater to your family's specific interest with the exception of the California wine country tour and the Glacial Alp Trek. 
Great Family tours: 
Biking tours in Italy: The Veneto bike tour or the new Emiglia Romagna bike tour are awesome tours that offers many cultural stops along an easy flat terrain as you ease along the Venetian trading canals and Po River. The Puglia bike tour is a wonderful tour full of fun excursions however the terrain may be more challenging at times...this can be modified. 
Biking in Switzerland:Lake Constance bike tour is similar to our tours listed above where the biking is flat & scenic and the cultural intake abundant (a Disney-like castle, Europe's largest waterfall, new aquarium & the Zeppelin exhibit...
The Instructional mountain biking is an ideal family tour for children and adults who are new to the sport or looking to improve their technique.
Walking tours in Italy: Our Tuscany, Dolomite,and Amalfi hiking tours offer an array of beautiful settings, many cultural excursions, great gelato and ideally situated & fun lodgings for the entire family. 
Walking tours in Switzerland: Our Heartland Walks are ideal for all ages. This beautiful area is world renown. While lodging within remote villages at 4-star inns enjoy great walks, a visits to an unusual waterfall within the mountain and much more. Or a custom tour of one to three days of Swiss hiking with local certified specialist Christine Kolitzus. 
The Swiss Complete can be easily modified to cater to families and designed to suit you preferred number of days and budget.
California walking tours:The Yosemite hike & raft tour is an affordable camping tour in which we enjoy several options of hiking trails within the Yosemite Valley. Call for information regarding rafting requirements or substituting rafting.

Why should I choose Andiamo and what makes you different than other tour companies? 
NO HIDDEN COST: Unlike most other tour companies we do not charge extra for equipment needed on tour, such as bicycles and helmets. All our inclusions are stated up front and we never surprise a participant with hidden costs.

TOUR GROUP SIZE is typically 8 participants and never surpasses 12 unless for privately reserved or custom tours. 

OUR CONNECTION TO THE PLACES WE TOUR: As an owner operated tour company we not only guide your tours, but from our offices in California and Europe we work intimately with the communities in which we tour.

FLEXIBLE AND PERSONAL DESIGNS: By keeping our group sizes to a minimum we are able to customize our routes to your preferred pace and distance. Many spontaneous stops for gelato, photo opts and cultural intake are common occurrences on tour.

Is there refund for Services Not Used?
Our tours are sold as a package. Credit cannot be given for services not used by a client. This includes accommodations, meals, or any other arrangements not used or performed for any reason, including acts of God.

Where do I purchase Trip Cancellation Insurance? 
We strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance. We are not able to vary from our stated refund policy regardless of your situation. Trip cancellation insurance will protect all deposits and payments for land and air costs if you are required to cancel your tour due to personal or family illness. 

Do you provide medical insurance? 
We do not cover medical insurance and we recommend all clients carry medical and personal insurance to cover hospital and other medical expenses, and loss of baggage or personal belongings. If you are involved in our Swiss Alp trek, Central Switzerland or Grindelwald mountain bike tours then emergency evacuation insurance may be required.