A: Since 1989 we have created custom-designed tours for more than 100 of America’s most prestigious non-profit organizations, including Smithsonian Journeys, as well as many well-known college alumni associations such as Brown University, Dartmouth College, Duke University, MIT, Northwestern, Ohio State, University of Michigan, University of North Carolina, University of Texas, UCLA, and the University of Washington. We also put our expertise to work on a wider scale by making our tours available to all travelers, while continuing to serve our client institutions.
A: We design our tours specifically for small groups of just 12 to 24 guests, guaranteed, which enables us to move about with more flexibility and efficiency, enjoy more spontaneous encounters, and experience a degree of freedom and independence not available to travelers on conventional group tours of 40 or more. An experienced professional tour director accompanies the group throughout the tour. We see the highlights and go behind the scenes – as well as leave time for independent exploration.
A: We offer a diverse array of tours and small ship cruises throughout the world, ranging in length from 10 days to three weeks: Europe on and off the beaten path; coastal, river, and private yacht cruises; adventures in Africa & the Middle East, and the Americas; discoveries in Asia & the Far East; far-reaching journeys to Antarctica and Australia & the South Pacific – all with unique features available only to small groups.
A: Most of our travelers range between the ages of 50 and 80, though we often host those under 50. On occasion we receive requests from travelers who would like to travel with children or grandchildren. All travel companions must be at least 15 years of age.
We welcome all travelers, but request that you be in fairly good health to participate in an Odysseys Unlimited tour. All of our tours involve a reasonable amount of walking, often uphill or on uneven or cobblestone streets. You must be able to get on and off motorcoaches on your own. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance; in such cases you must be accompanied by a companion who will assist you. Please note that our itineraries cannot accommodate wheelchairs.
A: We absolutely welcome single travelers on our small group tours. On most of our tours you will find a combination of singles traveling alone, singles traveling together, and couples. Our experienced tour directors work to ensure single travelers feel comfortable and part of the group.
A: We select hotels that we believe are the best for a particular trip and experience – those that offer guests the best combination of quality, value, and atmosphere for each destination. Our hotels in major cities are usually centrally located so guests can get around easier; our unique lodgings are often out of the way, offering our tour members a local ambiance larger groups never experience. Typically, our hotels include Deluxe, Superior First Class, and First Class properties.
A: We do not have a roommate matching program as such, but we do enable interested guests to contact one another and determine whether they wish to share a room on tour. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us by e-mail at customerservice@odysseys-unlimited.com or toll-free at (888) 370-6765, Monday–Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., ET.
A: If desired, guests may make their own air arrangements and book their tour as “land only” and receive a reduction in the tour price.
A: We do make every effort to meet such dietary needs as vegetarian, low-salt, and the like; unfortunately, we are unable to provide Kosher meals. We send this information to our tour directors who work to the best of their ability with restaurants and hotels to accommodate dietary needs.
A: You can make your deposit and final payment by personal check or major credit card (VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover card).
A: You will receive a full refund for any cancellations made up to 95 days before departure (125 days for Burgundy Barging). If because of low participation Odysseys Unlimited cancels your tour, you will receive a complete refund of all payments you have made to us. Refunds for cancellations inside of 95 days (125 days for and Burgundy Barging) are subject to the per person charges found under General Terms and Conditions.
A: A U.S. passport, with at least three blank pages (six blank pages if your tour requires a visa) and valid for at least six months after your return home, is required of all U.S. citizens on all of our tours. A visa is required for some tours. If your tour requires a visa, we will send the necessary information in the confirmation package you will receive upon reserving your tour. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please contact your embassy or a visa service for information about required travel documents.
A: Yes. Odysseys Unlimited makes available an Optional Travel Protection Plan through Trip Mate. We recommend that you protect yourself and your investment in the event you may have to cancel or interrupt your vacation. This plan may provide an extra measure of comfort and security by offering the following coverages and services:
Note that you may purchase the travel protection plan of your choice. Either way, we recommend that you protect your investment with travel protection of some sort.
A: Yes. After your first tour with us, you will save $100 per person off the published brochure price of your next Odysseys Unlimited tour; $200 per person after your third tour; and $300 per person after 10 tours. You may use this frequent traveler credit as many times as you would like.
A: In order to make a reservation, we require a deposit of $375 per person. Please have your credit card information available (or you may send a check), as well as each passenger’s home address and telephone number. In addition, to comply with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Secure Flight program, we will also need each passenger’s full name, birth date, and gender exactly as they appear on their passport. For further information, please visit www.tsa.gov
A: When we switched to our updated message board on January 1, 2016, we were unable to maintain the old message board online in its existing format. For your convenience, we have collected the most relevant information and posts from the old board (organized by tour) and posted it here.
We are looking for pictures of you and your fellow travelers engaging in tour activities. For example, a picture of you and your travel partner shopping in a bazaar; the group taking a cooking class; folks enjoying a special dinner or walking on a guided hike. When emailing us a picture, please include your name, address, the name of the tour, travel dates, and a brief caption for the picture(s).
For images to be considered for our brochure, please send original high-resolution images (300 dpi). Please do not send images that have been saved from personal social media accounts as they are low resolution.
This information can be found in the following blog post. Essential Knowledge: Passports and REAL ID.