FAQ

On every tour page on our website you will find a Booking button for a specific tour. To register, first select the button for the tour you’d like to join. Next you will be taken to our booking platform, WeTravel, where you can select your preferred rooming type.  If there is availability a non-refundable deposit of $500 for walking tours or $750 for art tours is required to secure a space. If there is no availabilit you may request to join the waiting list. 

Our programs are carefully designed as comprehensive small group vacations, and part of what makes them so special is sharing the adventure together. Through experience, we’ve found that having non-participating guests affects the overall cohesiveness and group dynamic we strive to foster on each trip. For this reason, we do not offer the option for completely non-participating travel companions.

However, for our Art Walk vacations, some programs allow for a limited number of non-art student guests at a special rate. These travel companions do not participate in the art classes, but are included in every other aspect of the program. If not listed in the trip description, please contact us about non-art participant rates and availability.

Your place on a tour is secured once we have received and confirmed your deposit payment. Before the final payment date, a deposit of $500 for walking vacations and $750 for art vacation workshops is required. After the final payment date, the entire tour amount must be received to hold a space on a program.

Once registered you will have access to a tour dashboard that will have a link you can fillow to make payments. You may also send a check through the mail. You can make incremental online payments as long as final payment is received by the due date.

With the possible exception of private or custom tours, final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. 

An initial deposit is required to hold your space on a tour. While these deposits are non-refundable, we recognize that circumstances can shift. Here’s how our policy works:

For a Cancellation Up to 90 Days Before Departure:
Your initial deposit, minus a $100 processing fee, will be held as a Travel Credit.
This Travel Credit may be applied toward another tour with a departure date within 1 year of your original departure.
Any additional payments made toward the trip balance will be returned or held as a Trave Credit if you prefer.

For a Cancellation Less Than 90 Days Prior to Arrival
90-61 days prior to arrival: a 75% cancellation fee applies (up to 25% of tour cost is returned)
60-0 days prior to arrival: a 100% cancellation fee applies (no funds are returned)

For complete details, refer to our Terms and Conditions. We always advise purchasing Trip Cancellation insurance to cover your travel investment.

We’re so grateful for the enthusiasm surrounding our tours. Because many of our programs fill quickly, we maintain a waitlist to ensure that any openings are offered as fairly and efficiently as possible.

How the Waitlist Works

• When a tour sells out, anyone who attempts to register is automatically added to the waitlist in the order their request is received.
• We honor this order when offering newly available spots.

How We Offer Openings

When a cancellation occurs, we contact people on the waitlist using the following process:

More than 3 months before the tour:

• We reach out to individuals one at a time via the email address provided and following the order of the waitlist.
• Each person has 48 hours to accept the spot.
• If we don’t hear back within 48 hours, or if the person declines, we move to the next name on the list.

Within 3 months of the tour start date:

• Because travel plans are often already set, we send a group email to everyone on the waitlist.
• Anyone still interested has 48 hours to reply.
• The spot is offered to the earliest‑signed‑up person who responds within the deadline.

Keeping the Waitlist Current

If you know you are no longer interested in a particular tour, we always appreciate a quick note to admin@thebluewalk.com so we can update the list.

A Note About Availability

Waitlist movement varies from tour to tour. Some groups experience several cancellations; others have none. While we can’t predict availability, we do our best to communicate clearly and promptly whenever a spot opens.

It is unusual to not hear from us as expected. However, sometimes it happens. For our tour guests, all group communications are sent by email. There are several steps you can take to troubleshoot if you have not heard from us:

First, check your spam folder. (To be sure our email doesn’t get caught in a spam filter, please add our email addresses to your approved contact list:

Wetravel.com for invoicing and dashboard

travel.maven@thebluewalk.com for reservations, and info@thebluewalk.com all other communications.) 

Second, if the spam filter is clear, double check the email address given on your tour registration form. It is easy to mistype! Also, if you have multiple addresses, be sure the address you are expecting us to respond to is the one we have.

Third, if your email has changed you must notify us immediately so we may send to the correct address. 

Lastly, if you still cannot find the issue, please contact us. We will get the communications flowing.

Our small group tours are intentionally flexible. Each day is customized to provide the best guest experience possible. Schedules may change due to festivals, weather, strikes, and any number of other factors. A detailed itinerary will be provided on the first day at our orientation gathering. That being said, prior to departure we will send out trip documents with hotel information, arrival and departure advice, and other useful information for your tour.

Details of exactly where and when to meet for the beginning of the program will be found on your tour dashboard.

Usually our tours begin at 4:00pm on the program start date, and we meet in the breakfast area of our hotel. Programs that begin in Milan, Italy or Zurich, Switzerland are the exception. Specifics for those tours is only moderately different and will be provided well in advance of departure.

When planning flights, try to give yourself time to travel from the airport and arrive at your destination with some time to rest. We do know this is not always possible.

Details of exactly where and when the tour ends will be found on your tour dashboard.

Unless otherwise stated in the trip inclusions, our programs end at the hotel after breakfast on the final day. There are no group activities planned for this day,  and you may depart at your convenience. The hotel will hold your luggage if you plan to leave after checkout time.

If you have a departing flight on the final day, take transfer time between the ending city and departure airport into consideration. For flights with a destination outside of Europe we recommend arriving at the airport at least 3 hours prior to departure.

Do you book air travel?

The Blue Walk is a land-only company. We do not book air travel. We are happy to make referrals to a partnering agency who is familiar with our tours and can handle airfare. We receive no commission for our referrals. You receive great service from an agent that knows our product. 

Airport recommendations for your tour may be found in the Where in the World section of the tour page on our website.

The Blue Walk requires all participants on our vacations to carry overseas emergency medical coverage while traveling with us. There is a place on your Tour Portal (a web page created specifically for your tour) to submit your policy number, insurance provider, and a contact phone number. It is possible your existing medical policy includes this coverage. If you don’t have this type of coverage, you can purchase a travel insurance policy that includes emergency medical. 

It is your responsibility to ensure you have travel insurance that is suitable for your needs. For complete information on our insurance policies and a link to our preferred carrier, please see our insurance page.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is designed to cover you for trips of limited duration. It is intended for vacations and short term trips abroad. Travel insurance offers protection against travel related issues such as: Cancellations, trip interruption, loss of luggage, loss of personal belongings, and overseas emergency medical treatment. 

We strongly recommend travel protection insurance in case of unexpected cancellations. If desired, you can invest in your insurance policy incrementally to cover your deposit first and then the balance of your tour cost on final payment. For more information, please see our travel insurance page.

Overseas Medical Coverage

Overseas medical coverage may be included as part or all of your travel insurance policy. It is intended to provide coverage for short-term emergency medical treatment during your travel out of the country. It is designed to pick up where your primary domestic health plan leaves off and fill in coverage gaps. 

Many emergency medical plans will include coverage for big-ticket items such as hospitalizations, surgeries and medically necessary evacuations. Additionally, services like physician office visits, ambulance services, prescription medication and more may be included. Usually, premier plans will offer benefits for injury or sickness due to terrorist events and treatment related to pre-existing conditions.

Passengers must hold a valid passport. It is your responsibility to ensure you have a passport. Please note certain destinations insist on at least 6 months validity from the return date. Also, some countries want to see at least 2 blank pages in your passport. For US residents, the State Department travel website is a good starting point to familiarize yourself with foreign country requirements.

Travel is fun, but it can also be tiring. Especially your first day or two after arrival. As much as you are able, get your immune system ready to hit the road. We recommend getting plenty of rest before departure. Keep up on your vitamin C intake – or whatever method you may have to ward off colds. Also, staying hydrated will help keep you healthy and bounce back from any jet lag more quickly.

The word “walk” is in our name. Our programs are not boot camp, but they are active vacations. At a minimum you should feel comfortable walking and being on your feet for an hour at a time. It is your responsibility to know your own physical and medical condition with respect to the advisability of participating in your chosen trip. We suggest you prepare by doing some longer walks that include stairs prior to arrival. As with any exercise program, we recommend you consult with your physician prior to your arrival regarding the suitability of a walking tour.

Moreover, do whatever you can to plan on feeling great while you are on your vacation.

All our rates are based on two guests sharing a room. This is called double occupancy. Guests who prefer to have their own accommodations pay a single supplement that covers the additional cost of a private room.

Importantly, whenever possible our private rooms are the same size and class as our rooms for two guests. Some tour companies place singles in very small rooms with one twin bed.

The Blue Walk will match guests (of the same gender) who would like to share a room. Roomshares offer additional camaradrie for the trip and save you the additional cost of a private room. Matches are made as received. The further in advance you reserve and request a roomshare, the greater your chances of being paired.

90 Days Before Departure

If you sign up more than 90 days in advance of your trip and no roomshare is available, 50% of the single supplement will be due at final payment. However, if a roommate is found before your trip departs, the single supplement will be refunded.

Less Than 90 Days Before Departure

Conversely, if you sign up less than 90 days in advance of departure and a roomshare is not available, the full single supplement fee will apply. In the meantime, if a roommate is found before departure, the single supplement will be refunded.

Your Art Walk teacher will send out a supply list well before departure. It will be available on your dashboard at least 90 days before departure.

We choose our hotels based on location, service, amenities, and style. We have been working with most of our properties for years. Guests love them, and we are greeted like family. Generally, our accommodations are 4-star with a couple of 5-star resorts and a couple of select, 3-star properties. All rooms will have en suite facilities, always. Usually our hotels are centrally located in, or adjacent to, historic centers or within walking distance of smaller village centers. These properties offer the opportunity to step outside the door to find local sites, shops, and restaurants. Standard amenities may occasionally have idiosyncrasies. For instance, free WiFi is offered at all properties, but the signal may vary or be generally slow. All hotels have air conditioning, but in the early spring or late fall, it may not be working. We consider this part of the charm and challenge of travel. The exchange is unique, family-run properties in great locations.

We like to keep our groups small and intimate so it feels more like traveling with a group of good friends. Typically, we have a maximum of 12 guests on our walking tours. Similarly, Greece has a maximum of 14 guests.

On our art vacations, groups may be between 10-18 participants depending on location, program, and teacher. There is a maximum listed in each art program’s description.

In addition to walking, we use local buses, trains, and ferries, which add to the adventure and offer a local experience. Occasionally, we’ll travel by private van or taxi. 

Public transportation can provide an authentic glimpse into local life but may come with some discomforts like crowded spaces or waiting times. However, these minor inconveniences are part of the experience and offer unique opportunities to engage with the local culture. Embracing these moments can add an extra layer of adventure and discovery to your journey.

The first day of the tour is the first advertised date. Some guests choose to arrive prior to this date. Our program begins at 4:00pm unless otherwise stated in the tour literature provided after final payment.

After a meet-and-greet and program overview there will be a short orientation walk so you can get to know the neighborhood. You should plan to arrive with time to rest before the orientation begins. Generally, our welcome dinner will be the following evening, on day 2, unless otherwise stated. 

The last advertised date of the tour is departure day. Breakfast is always provided on departure day. Usually, the final group activity will be the farewell dinner on the evening prior to departures. 

Part of our philosophy at The Blue Walk is to move about areas in ways the locals do, and with the locals, rather than in private buses. Sometimes this means making use of trains and ferries that do not have porters. You should be able to roll or carry your luggage for up to 15 minutes and lift your luggage up several stairs if boarding a train. Guests are expected to manage their own bags always and without exception.  

Usually, most people in the hospitality industry do speak English and are able to provide you with needed information. More often than not, any difficulties experienced provide a good story rather than travel stress. Importantly, your Blue Walk guides are English-speaking. They will be with you throughout the trip. You will be able to communicate with them without problem.

For our tours, tipping for program meals, drivers, and local guides is included. Read on to find more general information on tipping in Europe.

Quoted from: Rick Steves.com

Here’s a tip: Don’t stress over tipping.

While tips are appreciated no matter where you travel, tipping in Europe isn’t as automatic nor as generous as it is in the United States. In many countries, tipping is not expected at all. The proper amount depends not only on the country you’re in, but, just as in the US, on your resources, tipping philosophy, and the circumstances.

Restaurants

Restaurant tips are more modest in Europe than in the US. At restaurants, check the menu or bill to see if service is included; if it isn’t, a tip of 5–10 percent is normal. In most places, 10 percent is a big tip. As a matter of principle, if not economy, the local price should prevail. Tipping 15 or 20 percent in Europe is unnecessary, if not culturally ignorant.

Tipping is an issue only at restaurants that have waiters and waitresses. If you order your food at a counter (in a pub, for example), don’t tip.

At table-service restaurants, the tipping etiquette and procedure vary slightly from country to country. But in general, European servers are well paid, and tips are considered a small “bonus” — to reward great service or for simplicity in rounding the total bill to a convenient number.

Service Charge

In Mediterranean countries, the “service charge” (servizio in Italian, service in French, servicio in Spanish) can be handled in different ways. Sometimes the menu will note that the service is included (“servizio incluso”), meaning that the prices listed on the menu already have this charge built in. When the service is not included (“servizio non incluso”), the service charge might show up as a separate line item at the end of your bill. Fixed-price tourist deals (a.k.a. menu) include service.

Tip Like a Local

Virtually anywhere in Europe, you can do as the Europeans do and (if you’re pleased with the service) add a euro or two for each person in your party. In very touristy areas, some servers have noticed the American obsession with overtipping — and might hope for a Yankee-size tip. But the good news is that European servers and diners are far more laid-back about all this than we are. Any tip is appreciated, the stakes are low, and it’s no big deal if you choose the “wrong” amount.

Cash in Hand

Typically, it’s better to hand the tip to the waiter when you’re paying your bill than to leave it on the table, particularly in busy places where the wrong party might pocket the change. Servers prefer to be tipped in cash even if you pay with your credit card (otherwise the tip may never reach your server); in many cases, there isn’t even a line on the credit-card receipt for a tip.

Taxis

For taxis, just round up to the next euro on the fare (to pay a €13 fare, give €14); for a long ride, to the nearest 10 (for a €76 fare, give €80). If the cabbie hauls your bags and zips you to the airport to help you catch your flight, you might want to toss in a little more. But if you feel like you’re being driven in circles or otherwise ripped off, skip the tip.

Hotels

At hotels with porters, pay the porter a euro for each bag he carries; it’s nice (but not required) to leave a small tip in your room for the housekeeping staff when you depart.

Guides

Tipping your guide is always appreciated if you feel they have provided you with a good experience. 

Generally speaking, to allow for class time art vacations have less walking than our walking vacations. In addition to a lighter walking schedule, we typically suggest or incorporate alternatives that require little or no walking (although a taxi, bus, or similar may be enlisted). Moreover, while all walks are not required, those that plan on not participating in the scheduled walks should be prepared to get to a destination by their own means.

The amount of walking for each art vacation will vary according to program, teacher, and location. Each trip will have a description of the amount of walking that is anticipated. Our walks are generally classified and described in our walk level ratings. If you still have questions about how active the program is, please contact us.

Our walks are not boot camp—we stop for breaks, photos, restrooms, and snacks. While there are some hills, the paths are manageable by most. You should be comfortable walking and standing for at least an hour at a time. Our trails often include steps and uneven surfaces, so be prepared for some stairs.

To readily enjoy each day’s excursion, you should be comfortable walking 2 miles within an hour, navigating uneven stairs, and easily getting on and off ferries, trains, and buses.

Blue Walk vacations are designed for guests of varying fitness levels. We can suggest alternatives for those who prefer more or less walking. Most walks are optional, allowing you to take days off if needed. However, to take part in the daily tours, being prepared to walk is essential. If you are unable to keep up with the group pace, you may need to use alternative transportation, such as taxis or buses, at your own expense.

To get the most out of your tour, we recommend preparing by walking regularly, including stairs and hills. If you have balance, knee, hip, or back issues, consider bringing folding trekking poles. Consult your physician about the appropriateness of this vacation and secure travel cancellation insurance, especially if there are any concerns about your ability to participate.

The short answer is no. One of the great things about a Blue Walk is that no special equipment is required. We suggest wearing shoes that are broken in, comfortable, and have good tread. Usually, a good pair of trainers or gym shoes should be all you need. Of course if you have a pair of hiking boots you love, you can certainly bring them along. Especially if you’d like to do some extra hiking in your free time.

TIP: We typically wear a lightweight running/trail shoe and will often toss our flip flops into our daypack to switch into after the main walk is over.

While hiking and trekking poles are not mandatory, many beginners find them helpful on uneven trails. Some of the paths we explore may be steep or lack handrails, so having the extra support from hiking poles can make the experience more enjoyable and secure.

If you decide to bring hiking poles, remember that they must be checked in with your luggage and cannot be taken in the cabin of the plane.

If you are new to using walking poles but think they might benefit you, we recommend practicing with them before your trip to build confidence and comfort. Local outdoor stores, like REI, often offer rental options for walking or trekking poles, allowing you to try them out before making a purchase.