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Testimonials from past
travelers...
(jump to
FAQ's)
"I had a
great time. A good mix (and number) of people/personalities... I suspect
that we as a group gained access to some people and places that as an
individual may have been difficult if not impossible."
"Very
good. Knowledgeable tour leader!!!!! Note - we thought the restaurant,
food choices were excellent... you did an excellent job managing all
the details. We would definitely go on another tour with you."
"Great
trip. Great beer, great food, great scenery and good group of people.
Can't go wrong visiting a country that loves their beer, food, and
comics.... Definitely got a good value. I didn't open my wallet the
first couple of days and was beginning to wonder if I ever
would."
"Your
surprises were excellent. I liked the fact that we had a small group.
although to make it more of a financial success, I know 20-25 would
have been better. I expect to see groups this size in the future. I
would be less interested in a group that size."
Our trips will always be limited to smaller groups 15 people maximum.
"The
local guides and behind the scenes access made a big difference.
Traveling by public means made me feel like less of a tourist, more
like a traveler. I also loved meeting some of the brewers I had read
about. Do you need any tour leaders?"
Frequently
Asked Questions
(see About
Beer Travel for additional information)
(No
we are not bunch of drunks, and we don't drink beer from cans
... we are beer connoisseurs!)
What are BeerTrips?
What is Beer Travel?
BeerTrips are organized group trips that feature
multi-night stays in historic cities, fine hotels, great food, and classic breweries and beers.
Our itineraries offer a balance of free time and noteworthy beer-related
excursions. For more information see About Beer
Travel.
What
kind of people go on a Beer Trip?
When you join a BeerTrips tour, it is a pretty
safe bet that the people on the trip will share your love of great beer. Our travelers are
a lot like the folks you might meet at your favorite brew pub or home brewing club
meeting. Most take beer fairly seriously; and with 10 -15 people ordering and tasting
different beers, you'll find that you can sample dozens more beers in a beer group than
you would traveling on your own. Don't worry though, we have people
"dragged along" with a beer loving friend or spouse who loved
the trip and discovered that beer was much better and much more
interesting than they originally thought.
What is life
on the trip like?
Life on vacation is generally pretty good, the same
goes for Beer Trips. The itinerary is designed to blend activity and
relaxation. There a few early mornings, when needed. and a handful of
set meeting times for excursions. Meals are relaxed and in general the
trips are unhurried. You will definitely have time to pursue your own
interests and explore a variety of eating and drinking places. It is a
group tour, but it is not one of "those" groups you see that
make thank your lucky stars that you are not part of it.
Couldn't
I do it myself for less money?
Yes and No. You could do something similar, and save a few
hundred dollars. There is no question: we are not attempting to travel on the cheap.
Nobody likes cheap hotels anyway. But we feel we offer a good travel value, providing all the standard
travel necessities as well as many special events not open to independent
travelers.
Can't I
buy all those beers here?
A lot of the breweries we visit do sell beer in the States
and throughout the world, but the fact is, it is just not the same. We
drink the freshest or best conditioned beers the brewers have to offer.
Many breweries also only export a few of the style they brew. Special
local and seasonal beers are often only available in the region
surrounding the breweries. And there are almost always beers you've never
heard of to discover.
I don't like
the idea of traveling with a group.
To tell the truth, we don't either. But beer groups are
different. We exist as a cross between a traveling classroom and a
traveling party. People are easy going and generally like-minded in most
respects. This make for a harmonious and dynamic interaction. Plus, with
lots of people ordering and tasting different beers and food, there is an
opportunity to try much, much more than you could on your own.
What about
airfare?
With mileage
programs, consolidators, internet fares and countless fare sales, it is
best to be a "free agent" when buying tickets in today's market.
However, if you would prefer to have us arrange your flights we are more
than happy to do so. We will resourcefully seek out the lowest available
fares and advise you of your options. We advise that you do not
purchase tickets until the trip is confirmed - generally 45-60 days prior to
departure.
Are you a
travel agency too?
We are not a travel agency, we are a specialty tour
operator. We work closely with certain agencies and consolidators for air
tickets.
Can I use miles?
Yes, but, be aware that it doesn't always work out. Limited
availability, undesirable routes, and cancellation and alteration fees,
often make using miles less attractive. Mileage tickets have to be
booked directly with the airline. We advise that you do not
purchase tickets until the trip is confirmed - generally 45-60 days prior to
departure.
Can I
go early or extend the trip?
We encourage it. We always try to plan our trips to fit as
well as possible into working peoples vacation schedules. Most leave on a
Thursday and return on the next Sunday, fitting almost into one week. We
realize that you could spend a month in London or Munich and still not see
it all. Adding a few days on to the beginning or end of the trip is a
great way to combine our trip with independent travel. Sometimes we can
get you our group rate at the hotels we use, and can help with other
arrangements too.
Where
do I meet the group?
Usually we meet in the hotel lobby for all excursions and
events. Detailed itineraries are provided on tour.
When do
I pay?
To hold your space we require a $400 deposit. $350 of this
is refundable until the day we mail final invoices. The final payment is
generally due 60 - 45 days prior to the start of the trip.
How
much spending money do I need?
This varies from person to person of course. $50 a day
should be more than enough. If you plan to shop a lot bring more. If you
eat a big breakfast, spend less on meals and don't shop a lot, you could
get by on less.
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