FAQ Group Travel

Group travel is when a group of people (typically 16 + people) travel together to the same destination on a tour that typically includes their transportation, hotel, some meals, and activities. For Target Tours that often means that a Tour Director accompanies the group as well. A group tour can be a fly tour, bus tour, or a combination of both.

It is different from independent travel because a tour operator is planning your trip for you. You don’t have to worry about booking hotels, paying each supplier, searching for the best activities, or sometimes even where to eat! The most stressful thing you have to do is book your trip, pack, and show up the morning of your trip.

Tons! Here are just a few:

-Social environment

-Saving money

-Safety in numbers

-Stress-free

-Making lasting friendships

We have made adjustments to our policies surrounding group sizes, vaccinations, etc. Please refer to our Policies page.

For trips to Canada and the United States, our group sizes can vary from 25-50 people. It is unlikely you will have less than 25 or more than 50 passengers.

While they vary, our European tours are typically between 16-26 people. It is unlikely that your trip to Europe will be less than 16 people.

Always! After all, it is your trip!

Some trips have more free time than others. For example, our NYC tours typically give lots of free time in the city. Since there is so much to see we don’t want to tell you what to do. In contrast, our Nashville trip includes a lot more in a shorter period of time so instead of having full days off you might have afternoons or mornings off.

Cruises have lots of free time. We provide options to join the group for meals and excursions if you wish, but rarely are any required or included. We want to make sure you can relax!

They really make all the difference on our trips. A Tour Director is there from the moment you get on the bus or plane until you get off to go home. They make sure that the group gets to where they are going in a timely and safe manner. They answer any questions or concerns you might have during the trip and they entertain the group with games and facts about the places you’re travelling to.

One of the greatest highlights of having a Tour Director on your trip is that if activities are not already planned for you during the vacation (like on our NYC tours where you have lots of free time) you can spend as much or as little time with them as you like. You can ask them for suggestions on activities and they can even help you book them. They are available at all included activities to make sure everything goes smoothly. Basically, they do all the thinking and worrying for you, because you’re on vacation!

All of our Tour Directors are professionals and are experienced in both travel and customer service. They are also First Aid and CPR certified.

As long as we are notified at time of booking, or more than a week prior to the trip, there is no issue to accommodate for motion sickness and some health restrictions.

For motion sickness we seat people and their travel companions in the 3rd to 5th rows of a bus where there is less movement and they have a better view of the road.  In order to be assured that you are seated in the 3rd to 5th row you must present us with a doctors note before final payment. For travel parties of more than two (2) people we can only seat the individual who suffers from motion sickness and one travel companion in the 3rd to 5th row and the rest of the party will be in the regular seat rotation. We are not able to provide any medication or medical advice on how to combat motion sickness nor do we provide medication on tours to clients. We encourage you to speak with your doctor if you are looking for medicinal ways to manage motion sickness as they are familiar with your particular medical circumstances.

For clients with mobility issues, some tours may be manageable but all of our tours require some level of walking. Minimally, a client must be able to walk up and down stairs independently to board and depart our motor coaches. You can view our mobility requirements on the Activity Level tab of each individual tour web page.

If a medical condition results in a client not being able to function 100% independently they may not be able to travel with Target Tours. If someone does suffer from a condition that does not allow them to travel independently, but they are confident they can safely manage the challenges of travel, they must travel with a companion or nurse who is able to assist them during the tour. It is not the role of Target Tours or the Tour Director to assist clients with pre-existing medical conditions or to assign companions or nurses to a client so that they may travel. Target Tours also must be notified of the client’s medical condition that causes them to not be able to function independently at the time of booking (even if booking through a travel agent or friend). If Target Tours has not been notified, the company has the right to refuse a client at any point during the booking and travel stages if they are not able to safely manage the challenges of the trip as determined by Target Tours staff.

As long as we are notified at time of booking, and more than a week prior to the trip, we will do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions and some health restrictions. Most included restaurants are able to accommodate vegetarian meals. Some may be able to accommodate gluten free/celiac/diabetic diets; however, we can never guarantee that any tour will be 100% able to provide meals for health restrictions. As a result, we recommend that you come prepared to manage your particular health circumstance with snacks or food in case. Target Tours will do its best to be able to accommodate any dietary restrictions but during a tour, it is not the role of the Tour Director to provide or manage meals that cater to dietary restrictions. It is the role of the client to be vigilant of the meals being provided to them and to remind the waitstaff of their requests or conditions.

First, let’s cover what “Travel Insurance” means. Many people think travel insurance is just medical coverage outside your home country. That is not entirely true. Travel insurance can be just medical coverage but it can also be cancellation and interruption protection for you during your trip. You can even modify insurance to cover certain things like your baggage when flying, if it’s not already included in your package. It can also be commonly called travel and medical protection.

We sell several types of travel insurance at Target Tours through Manulife Insurance:

Premium Protection Plan – Medical, cancellation, and interruption coverage internationally with a Cancel-For-Any-Reason Clause. *Most Popular*

All-Inclusive – Medical, cancellation, and interruption coverage internationally.

Canada All-Inclusive – Medical, cancellation, and interruption coverage within Canada.

Non-Medical Inclusive – Cancellation & interruption coverage internationally but no medical coverage.

Global Medical – International medical coverage only.

For more information on these packages, details, and coverage please click HERE.

Like any type of insurance, travel insurance can be overwhelming or confusing so please feel free to contact us with questions.

*Please be aware that travel insurance offered through credit cards and/or your employer can be very limited. We advise that you thoroughly familiarize yourself with what your plan includes and excludes to avoid unwelcome surprises. A few things we suggest you research on these types of plans are: is there a maximum coverage, a deductible, maximum length of trip, exempt countries, baggage protection, and how you contact them in the case of an emergency.

North American group tours/Caribbean cruises: We do not require you to purchase travel insurance in order for you to travel with Target Tours for most of these tours, but we do highly recommend it. We are able to quote and offer Canadian clients travel insurance for anywhere in the world. Please keep in mind that your provincial health insurance provides limited coverage when travelling outside your home province, even within Canada.

International group tours/cruises: We require proof of travel insurance for all tours taking place outside of North America or the Caribbean. If you do not purchase travel insurance through Target Tours you must provide proof of coverage to Target Tours prior to travel along with your policy information and emergency contact number in case of emergency.

For all types of travel through Target Tours (including within Canada), should you decide not to purchase travel insurance through Target Tours, you will be required to sign a liability release form acknowledging that you understand the risks of travelling without travel insurance or choosing to use alternative travel insurance coverage. This form must be signed prior to travel and returned to Target Tours via e-mail, mail, or fax. Failure to do so may prevent you from being able to join the tour.

For all trips outside of Canada, you will require a valid passport. Generally, for international travel (outside North America/Caribbean) you will require a passport that will be valid 6 months past the date of departure of your trip. Select destinations may require visas or special entry requirements. Should your trip have such a special entry requirement Target Tours will alert you to this during the booking process and assist in preparing those documents. You can see passport requirements in the “Tips and Tricks” section on individual tour web pages.

It is your responsibility to obtain a valid passport and to bring it with you on your trip and to protect it during travel. Should you neglect to bring your passport on a tour that requires a passport it is your responsibility to arrange your return trip home as you will not be able to continue or complete the trip without this document.

For tours by motor coach: You are allowed one large suitcase (typically the largest in a set of suitcases) and one carry-on. We do not follow exact dimensions as we are awarded that flexibility of size when travelling by coach. We do ask that you are respectful of other travellers and do not bring unreasonably large pieces of luggage, instruments, or make large purchases while travelling. Target Tours Tour Directors must be consulted before purchasing anything large during a motor coach trip.

You are also allowed to bring one carry-on in the cabin of the coach. Small roller suitcases are not advised as often they will not fit in the overhead compartment above the seats due to their wheels. In that circumstance, they must be kept in front of you at your seat which can be very uncomfortable.

For shopping trips: In addition to the above luggage restrictions, Target Tours will provide you with two large bags in which to keep purchases during the trip that will be labeled with your name. Once again please be respectful in terms of your purchases and do not exceed the limits imposed.

For tours by cruise ship: We follow the restrictions of the cruise line we will be using. Target Tours will provide you with those details 2 – 3 weeks prior to your trip.

For tours by airline: We follow the restrictions of the air carriers we will be using. Target Tours will provide you with those details 2 – 3 weeks prior to your trip.

Target Tours is not able to provide medical advice or vaccination advice. We suggest you consult your doctor prior to your trip and he/she can suggest any medications based on your specific medical history and planned destination of travel. If there are any vaccinations that are mandatory prior to entering a country Target Tours will inform you of this well in advance of the tour.

Target Tours Tour Directors are confirmed in travel documents for each specific tour 2 – 3 weeks prior to your trip. In advance of that Target Tours may post the anticipated Tour Director on the specific tour page of the website 6 months before tour departure. This is only the anticipated Tour Director and is subject to change.

We can certainly try! Our Target Tours SOLO program has a great history of pairing people of the same gender to share accommodations and split travel costs. If you want more information and to learn how to join click HERE.

This is tricky because each trip is different but here is a list of some of the essentials to consider for all trips:

-Passport

-Wallet

-Underclothing and socks

-Light jacket

-Heavier jacket (check the weather before should this be unnecessary)

-Casual shirts and pants

-Swimsuit (if applicable)

-At least one formal outfit

-Comfortable shoes

-Medications in their original labeled containers

-Cell phone & charger

-Camera and batteries or charger

-Travel sized toiletries (including sunscreen & insect repellent)

-Umbrella (small and compact is best)

-Photo copies of important documents to be placed in luggage

-Power converter if travelling abroad

-Watch

-Money belt/neck wallet

For motor coach tours the pick up locations are generally the following:

Free transfers are included from:

  • Charlottetown, PE (Walmart parking lot)
  • Borden-Carleton, PE (Ceretti’s Irving)

The main motorcoach will stop at the following pick up locations:

  • Walmart Mumford Rd (Halifax, NS)
  • Hampton Inn Dartmouth Crossing (Dartmouth, NS)
  • Holiday Inn Express Halifax Airport (Enfield, NS)
  • Walmart or Comfort Inn (Truro, NS)
  • Irving Big Stop (Aulac, NB)
  • Irving Big Stop (Salisbury, NB)
  • Irving Big Stop (Lincoln, NB)
  • Murray’s Irving Beardsley (Woodstock, NB)

For fly tours we generally depart from the following airports:

  • Charlottetown International Airport
  • Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport
  • Fredericton International Airport
  • Halifax Stanfield International Airport

Departure times vary depending on the tour but are generally done in the early morning. Specific departure times and locations will be shared 2 – 3 weeks before your tour when we have confirmed all guest’s departure locations.

Pick up locations are subject to change based on the requirements of specific tours. 

FAQ Cruises

Generally, for cruises your meals at select restaurants, entertainment, and cabin are all included. Think of a cruise like a floating resort. The pools, sporting areas, library, common areas, and events such as seminars or talks are also included.

Gratuities, alcoholic beverages, speciality restaurants, casino games, shops on board, Wi-Fi, speciality entertainment, the spa, the photo studio, the bars, and some cafes and dessert restaurants on board are not included. This is not an extensive list but highlights some of the common areas where you would have to pay additional during your cruise to enjoy the product or service.

If you have specific questions for your cruise about what is or is not included, please contact Target Tours to speak to a staff member HERE.

All cabin choices have a washroom with a shower, a bed that can be converted from a queen bed or to two separate twin beds, a small table and chair, a television, a small closet, and a few other amenities. Please note that the name “cabin” and “stateroom” are referring to the same thing: your room on the ship. Target Tours typically uses the term “cabin” but you may see stateroom used elsewhere.

Based off the price you have already probably figured out that Inside Cabins are the least expensive cabin choice. This is a cabin that has no windows or balcony and is located in the interior of the ship. It’s one of the smallest cabin choices and comfortably sleeps two but would be very cramped for additional guests. These cabins can be found throughout the ship.

The Ocean View cabins that we offer have a picture window. Ocean View cabins can have a porthole instead of a picture window but we do not offer this style of cabin typically unless availability is low. An Ocean View cabin is slightly larger than an inside cabin with all the same amenities. The cabins sleep two people comfortably, and can be converted for more guests but would leave very little floor room and can be very cramped.  These cabins are not found on all cruise ships and are only located around the lower middle section of the ship (typically decks 4, 5 or 6)

Balcony cabins are the largest cabin type we advertise. This cabin has a balcony with floor to ceiling sliding windowed doors. It is slightly larger and often features a couch in addition to the queen size bed. This cabin style is often the most popular due to the additional space of the deck and the ability to open the deck for fresh air and private views of the ports visited. There are many cabin types larger (mini-suites, suites, family suites, owner suites, and cabins in “The Haven”) that we are able to sell but prices are provided on a request basis only.

Target Tours is unable to provide medical advice; however, there is a medical station on board equipped with fully licensed nurses and doctors should you become ill. The front desk on the cruise ship also often provides motion sickness pills at no cost should you request them.

If you mention that seasickness is a concern when you book we will do our best to arrange for a midship cabin where you will feel the least amount of movement. The availability of these cabins will be dependent on when you book as these cabins are often the first to sell out. If motion sickness/seasickness is a concern, please book early so we can accommodate you as much as possible.

Many people find the process of choosing a cruise, embarkation, and disembarkation very overwhelming. Even experienced travellers can become stressed about this process. By travelling in a group we take care of all those details in addition to assisting in embarkation and disembarkation. This makes the process very smooth and hassle free. While on board we have meetings, meals, and events that you can participate in as a group if you choose. We also offer shore excursions that our Tour Director will be participating in that you may join if you wish. When it comes to cruising you really can spend as much or as little time with the group as you please. The only mandatory event on the cruise ship is the disembarkation talk at the end as groups have special arrangements to leave the ship as opposed to independent travellers.

We follow the restrictions of the cruise line we will be using. Target Tours will provide you with those details 2 – 3 weeks prior to your trip.

The short answer is: only if you want to bring it. We cruise almost exclusively with Norwegian Cruise Lines which does not enforce a formal night, unlike other cruise lines. They do have optional formal nights where you can be as fancy as you would like. Jeans in the main dining room and specialty restaurants are acceptable as long as they aren’t overly faded, with holes or tears, or worn below the hips. Tank tops for men, flip-flops, baseball caps and visors are not permitted in the main dining room or any of the specialty restaurants.

If our cruise is with another cruise line, please consult with Target Tours staff on this topic as it is different for each cruise line.

This will be outlined 2 – 3 weeks prior to your trip in your detailed itinerary. Depending on the tour it may even be brought to your attention months in advance should you wish to purchase currencies that are not readily available at any bank.

Generally, if you are cruising in the US or in the Caribbean the US Dollar is all you will need. Select ports in the Caribbean may require different currencies but generally, you can still use your credit card for any shoreside purchases.

In Europe, it will vary on the port that you are visiting. Generally, the Euro is commonly accepted at cruise ports but in case that is not accepted credit cards such as Visa or MasterCard are commonly accepted (American Express or Diners Club are not commonly accepted in Europe).

Everything on a cruise is paid using your room key. Your room key is your lifeline during the trip and it is very important that you know where it is at all times for safety. Everything from alcoholic beverages, the shops, the spa, speciality restaurants will require you to swipe your room key to purchase. In select locations such as the duty-free shops and the casino you may be able to use your actual credit card for purchases but that varies by ship and cruise line.

When you go through the embarkation process for your cruise you will be asked how you would like to secure your account. There are a few ways to do this but the simplest and most common way is using your credit card. They will swipe your credit card and then from that point forward your room key will act as a credit card for all purchases on the cruise ship itself.

But you don’t plan on buying anything during your cruise you say?

You still have to secure your account with something, be it credit card, cash, or debit. You cannot board if you do not do this. If you spend nothing, then nothing will be charged to your account at the end of the cruise.

If you wish to secure your account with cash or debit please contact our office for the details on how to do so. While it is possible, both options are a little more challenging and depend greatly on the length and destination of your cruise.

There are a few options here. If you want to book a shore excursion that we are advertising during our tour you only have to contact Target Tours to arrange that.

If you want to book a shore excursion through the cruise ship that you want to do independent from the group you can contact us before you leave to book it or do it during your cruise. If you want to ensure that your seats are saved on the excursion (as some excursions do sell out) we encourage you to contact us in advance to book it.

All other excursions by separate providers that are not advertised through Target Tours cannot be booked through Target Tours. We only sell tours with companies we are familiar with or through the cruise lines. This is for security purposes and to ensure an enjoyable experience.

Cruise lines set a per person per day rate in US Dollars to cover gratuities. These gratuities go towards your cabin steward, your dining staff and a few other crew hard at work making your vacation memorable. If the onboard gratuities are not already included in your package with Target Tours you will be given the opportunity to prepay them in Canadian dollars before you cruise. If you do not do that it will be automatically added to your ship account in US Dollars. You can remove it from your account but it must be done once on the cruise ship at the reception desk. Target Tours cannot do this for you. If you wish to compensate a staff member an additional amount, you can do so directly. Also, any onboard drink purchases are charged an automatic 20% gratuity for bar staff.

There is Wi-Fi on cruise ships but be warned, it’s slow! Remember dial-up? It still exists and it’s on cruise ships. It’s also not free. Depending on the ship for 250 minutes of internet time you are looking at ~$125 USD. While some ships have Wi-Fi access across the ship, some only have it in select areas and not in your cabin. If you don’t wish to bring your laptop with you that’s okay because they do have an internet café on board where you can pay to use the service.

What we recommend when it comes to internet is to use your cellphone in airplane mode to browse the web at a café in port using their Wi-Fi. That way you can do a quick check in with your e-mails or social media for the cost of a coffee with much faster speeds. Let yourself unwind on the ship and don’t stress about internet if you can avoid it. You’re on vacation after all.

Cruises are generally a fairly good option if you have some mobility issues. Clients who use walkers or canes should find cruises a fairly good option to vacation without too many demands on mobility. That being said, the ships can be very large and while there are elevators they can be busy. If some walking is challenging for you you might find moving around the ship, particularly when at sea and the ship has some additional movement to it, challenging. If that is the case we do not advise that you participate in a cruise. We also require anyone travelling with us to be able to walk up and down stairs independently in order to board and depart the motor coach.

FAQ Bus Travel

Our motor coaches generally are 56 seats and are deluxe motorcoaches. All coaches of that size have washrooms, reclining seats, overhead lights, air vents, and televisions. We do not own the motor coaches so we are never sure on the exact model that you will be riding on until days prior to the trip. Common amenities that may be on your coach are cup holders, foot rests, pouches in the seats, electricity plugs and Wi-Fi (Canadian portions of trips only).

Yes, there is a washroom on the coach. Generally, we only encourage the use of the onboard washroom in the case of emergencies as we do stop every 2 – 3 hours while on the road so you can use the facilities at the stops.

We stop every 2 – 3 hours while on tour. You must be able to be comfortable for three hours of uninterrupted sitting as standing on the coach is not permitted for safety reasons.

Your Tour Director and Driver play an important role in making your vacation as memorable and hassle-free as possible. While optional, gratuities are a great way to show your appreciation. The suggested industry guideline is $4.00 to $6.00 per person, per day for your Tour Director and also your Driver. This should be extended on a voluntary and individual basis at the completion of the tour. Target Tours provides labeled envelopes in your pre-tour documents (sent 2 – 3 weeks before your trip via mail) as a manner to discreetly provide gratuities should you choose to do so.

Cruise Staff – If you are travelling on a cruise ship you will often be charged a rate per person per day in U.S. dollars to your ship account for onboard gratuities. Most of our cruises with Norwegian Cruise Lines include gratuities but you should confirm this at time of booking.  If you wish to compensate a staff member an additional amount, you can do so directly. Also, keep in mind any onboard drink purchases are charged an automatic 18% gratuity for bar staff.

If you are from Halifax, Dartmouth, or Truro we provide complimentary transfers from those departure points to Aulac for Halifax, Dartmouth, and Truro so you can meet the main bus that originated on Prince Edward Island. There is no additional charge for this service.

The size of the equipment for the transfer will depend on the number of people who are being picked up at that location so we cannot determine that until closer to the date. Transfer vehicles can range in size from vans to full size motor coaches.  You will be provided with a specific time and location for the transfer. At these pick up locations you will be permitted to leave your vehicle for the duration of your trip but this is at your own risk.

Yes, you may leave your vehicles at all of our pick up locations during the duration of your trip at your own risk.  Some locations require that you leave your license plate numbers and details and Target Tours will indicate if that is necessary. Some of our international trips or longer tours may have special accommodations for long term parking that Target Tours will indicate to you.

No, but if you don’t believe us please read from over one hundred testimonials by past clients HERE.

In all seriousness, we play games, movies, trivia, bingo, and provide fun facts and stories during the bus portion. It’s hard to be bored on a group tour!

We have assigned seating on the coach to allow passengers to take turns at the front and back of the coach. Each day the seating will be rotated, we appreciate your cooperation with this. If you have any difficulty with motion sickness, please let us know at least one week before departure and we will keep you seated within the first 3-5 rows.

FAQ New York City

When you are staying in New York City there is one rule to follow with pretty much any hotel. Space is at a premium in NYC so rooms will NOT be as large as normal hotel rooms or typically have as many amenities as hotels that you are used to elsewhere. Even rooms with two double beds are not suitable for two couples staying in a room. A “double” bed in NYC is often closer to a ¾ size bed .

The rooms are very spacious for two people but any more adults in the room than that might find the accommodations cramped during their stay. We also cannot guarantee that amenities such as coffee makers, fridges, or microwaves are included at any given hotel. If you are curious about the amenities and dimensions of a NYC hotel room, please contact our staff for more information.

New York is generally a very safe place to visit. Like any popular tourist destinations, we do remind you to be vigilant when visiting. Particular things to be conscious of are the following:

  • Bring a bag or purse that has a zipper or secure closure and wear it across your body or securely tucked under your arm.
  • For anyone who carries their wallets in their pockets it can create a crease or fade on the exterior of the pocket, particularly if it’s the back pocket. This is like a bullseye or target for a pickpocket. Move the location of your wallet to either a more secure pocket or a money belt to ensure safety.
  • Never keep your passport in your purse or wallet while out and about. We recommend you either wear a money belt worn under your clothing or place it in your safe at the hotel.
  • Pick Pockets may appear like a beggar or homeless person but they may also be dressed like fellow tourists or business people. Be cautious of everyone and if you are unsure or concerned of the area you are visiting bring your purse/wallet/knapsack to the front of your body where you can better supervise its’ safety.
  • Don’t stop in the middle of streets or bring out large maps that clearly identify yourself as a tourist.
  • Also, we love using the subway but we do not recommend using it after dark or alone. Always protect your possessions when on board and stay alert.

Safety has a lot to do with being vigilant yourself.  Keep your eyes up and be aware of your surroundings. If you are unsure of the safety of an activity or location you’re visiting please consult with a Target Tours team member for advice.

All of our NYC tours include a morning 3 – 4 hour tour of New York City on our private coach with a local guide. This is the perfect introduction to NYC as we overview a lot of the essential locations. Since you have a limited amount of time in NYC this will give you the feeling of seeing a lot and take some stress away from your free time. It’s also a lot of fun to meet a real New Yorker and learn what their lives are like.

Some tours include Broadway shows. Consult your itinerary for additional inclusions. Before final payment, we often offer additional add-ons you can purchase to enhance your NYC experience. These are tours that we are familiar with and recommend so you can book the activity with confidence.

No! While it’s included in your tour it’s up to you if you participate or not. However, we will not provide refunds for the group tour if you do not participate.

That’s a really tough one as it depends on each individual or group. Our best advice is to speak to us and we can give some advice based on what you are looking to get out of NYC.

New York is such an incredible city you should make peace with the fact that one visit will not be sufficient to see everything you want. Choose 3 – 4 things and then some optional activities so that you can still enjoy your time without becoming overwhelmed. And do yourself a favour, buy really comfortable shoes. You will probably be walking A LOT.

Yes! We work with a ticket reseller that works exclusively with groups and we are able to offer very competitive prices and help with seat selection. Let us know what show you’re thinking of and we can definitely get that taken care of for you. It’s the most popular NYC add-on we sell.

Similar to Europe, New York City is one of our most physically challenging tours. That is not to say that you cannot enjoy NYC if you have mobility challenges, but as we mentioned above it’s commonly referred to as a “walking city” because so many locations are easy (or seem easy) to walk to. While we have had clients who have brought walkers to aid in mobility it did impact their experience as they had to take cabs to any locations they were visiting in their free time and our Tour Director is not able to be dedicated to one client if they have mobility issues. Generally, we do not promote this tour to clients who have moderate to severe mobility issues.

In New York the city is broken up into blocks (north/south) and cross-town blocks (east/west). A block takes approximately 1 minute and a cross-town block takes about 3 – 4 minutes. This is walking at a fairly quick speed which you will quickly learn is the norm in Manhattan. That is the simplest way to estimate times when using a traditional map but Google Maps is always a great resource and takes more factors into consideration such as construction.

FAQ Europe

Europe is such a bucket-list destination and there are so many places to see it’s another area that requires many visits before you can be content with understanding the different cultures and cities. When you travel in a group it takes away a lot of the planning, logistics, translations, cultural differences, and driving worries. We take care of all of it! We even provide information on currencies, weather, packing and more before you depart. It’s the best way to see a city for the first time if you are overwhelmed with the idea of planning it or you just don’t want to have to worry about anything during your trip!

Our European trips are smaller groups and longer trips. This allows for you to really get to know your fellow passengers and make lasting bonds and friendships. Having not only a Tour Director from Atlantic Canada but also a local multilingual tour guide from the area you are visiting with you at all times allows you to learn and do more in the safety of a group.

The rooms in Europe are smaller and will have different amenities. They may have less amenities than what you are used to in North America and feature some you are unfamiliar with such as a bidet or a strange type of hairdryer. Depending on the country you are visiting you may not have things such as face cloths or several electrical plugs.  We will provide advice on different things to take with you so you will still have the creature comforts of home but we do encourage passengers to manage expectations. The rooms will be comfortable but most likely different than what you may be accustomed to in North America. You are travelling to a new country after all!

Similar to New York City, Europe is generally a very safe place to visit. Like any popular tourist destination, we do remind you to be vigilant when visiting. Particular things to be conscious of are the following:

  • Bring a bag or purse that has a zipper or secure closure and wear it across your body or securely tucked under your arm.
  • For anyone who carries their wallets in their pockets it can create a crease or fade on the exterior of the pocket, particularly if it’s the back pocket. This is like a bullseye or target for a pickpocket. Move the location of your wallet to either a more secure pocket or a money belt to ensure safety.
  • Never keep your passport in your purse or wallet while out and about. We recommend you either wear a money belt worn under your clothing or place it in your safe at the hotel.
  • Don’t stop in the middle of streets or bring out large maps that clearly identify yourself as a tourist.
  • Also, we love using the subway or metro but we do not recommend using it after dark or alone. Always protect your possessions when on board and stay alert.
  • Pick Pockets may appear like a beggar or homeless person but they may also be dressed like fellow tourists or business people. Be cautious of everyone and if you are unsure or concerned of the area you are visiting bring your purse/wallet/knapsack to the front of your body where you can better supervise its’ safety.

Safety has a lot to do with being vigilant yourself.  Keep your eyes up and be aware of your surroundings. If you are unsure of the safety of an activity or location you’re visiting please consult with a Target Tours team member for advice.

Europe can be very physically challenging for clients. Many of the cities we visit are ancient and the roads and walkways are often made of cobblestone and uneven. This makes it very challenging for anyone who requires a cane or walker to maneuver. Tours and shore excursions can also be held at a fairly consistent pace so if someone is not able to remain on their feet and moving for at minimum 2 hours will find our group tours very challenging. If a tour consists of a portion that is via cruise ship that may be more manageable for someone with mobility challenges as the ship itself can be manageable but shore excursions might still be a challenge. Please consult with Target Tours staff if you are concerned about this.

For tours by cruise ship: We follow the restrictions of the cruise line we will be using. Target Tours will provide you with those details 2 – 3 weeks prior to your trip

For tours by airline: We follow the restrictions of the air carriers we will be using. Target Tours will provide you with those details 3 – 4 weeks prior to your trip.

This will be outlined 2 -3 weeks prior to your trip in your detailed itinerary. Depending on the tour it may even be brought to your attention months in advance should you wish to purchase currencies that are not readily available at any bank.

In Europe, it will vary on the country that you are visiting. Generally, the Euro is commonly accepted but in case that is not accepted credit cards such as Visa or MasterCard are commonly accepted (American Express or Diners Club are not commonly accepted in Europe). Should the currency be anything different, Target Tours will notify you well in advance and how we recommend you prepare.

In Europe you will need an electronic converter or adapter for your appliances such as cell phones, tablets, hair dryers, etc. Unless you are cruising, the locations that you will be staying in will not have North American plugs (Norwegian Cruise Lines ships always have North American plugs in the cabins). The suggested model you will require will be outlined in your documents you will receive from Target Tours 2 – 3 weeks prior to departure. Please note that certain appliances such as hair dryers will require a certain voltage to work without damaging your converter/adapter or the appliance itself. Before purchasing a converter/adapter for a certain appliance ask the sales people for their advice, they should be trained in the differences and be able to make a recommendation.