If air is included, will the tour operator or travel agent obtain seat assignments?
This is especially important if you need a specific type of seat because of a medical condition. Even if the tour operator tells you they can’t get seats before the flight day, keep calling the airline directly, especially just before departure. You don’t want to start your vacation being stuck in a middle seat over the engine at the back of the plane. Are hotels rated on a scale that translates? If you’re paying $1,600 for a weeklong European tour with everything from soup to nuts (including airfare), those four-star hotels won’t be the equivalent of four-star properties in the States. Make sure you’re not going to be horrified by sub-standard lodging when you sign up for a budget trip. Will optional tours proceed regardless of how many sign up? Many tours have excursions that are included, but optional tours are often offered on days set aside for free time. If you’re not a shopper or don’t relish exploring a strange city on your own, you’ll want to make sure that these optional tour
