Frequently Asked Questions
Need some travel advice? Can't find the answer to your question? Below are the most frequently asked questions by our customers. If you are unable to find what you are looking for, submit your question on our Contact Us page or call us at 301-662-3053.
Where is the Pick Up Point:
Trips depart from the Worman's Mill Town Square, Merchant St., Worman's Mill, Frederick. From Route 15 North, take Route 26 East for one mile. Turn left on Monocacy Blvd. at CVS. Continue for two blocks and turn right on Mill Pond Rd. Continue for three bocks, and turn right on Merchant St. and Town Square. OR, from Frederick, take Route 15 North. Continue past Route 26 for one mile. Turn right on Monocacy Blvd., cross railroad tracks, and get in left lane. Turn left on Waterside Dr. Continue for eight (8) blocks to the Town Square and Gazebo. Merchant St. is one block to the right of Waterside Dr. Parking is on Merchant St. by the gazebo for day trips. Do not park on Mill Pond Road.
Overnight tours depart from the Worman's Mill Town Square, Merchant Street. If possible, have someone bring you to meet the motorcoach and pick you up at the end of the tour.
New parking regulations for overnight tours. Worman's Mill is located within the city limits. It is a law that Frederick City residents are not to leave their vehicle on a city street for more than two nights. If, however, your vehicle is moved a few feet after the second night, this is no problem. When you do not have anyone that can pick up your vehicle for tours that involve more than a two night stay, arrangements have been made with Skate Frederick at 1288 Riverbend Way, Route 26 Liberty Road, to leave your vehicle at their parking lot for the duration of the trip. Skate Frederick is directly behind Wal-Mart. Please park next to the Car Wash, which is to the right of Skate Frederick. There is adequate parking on this lot. THERE IS NO COST TO YOU FOR LEAVING YOUR VEHICLE AT SKATE FREDERICK as my company will pay for the parking.
It is important that you let us know prior to the tour that you plan to leave your vehicle at Skate Frederick and we are to pick you up at this pick-up point. This applies to overnight tours only that are three days or longer and for participants that do not have anyone to pick up their vehicle. All day trips and overnight tours will still have the same pick-up point at the Town Square Gazebo on Merchant Street in Worman's Mill. We am sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you, but we are taking these measures to protect you from possibly having any towing charges.
Are triple accommodations available?
Usually triple accommodations are available. Occasionally, on European tours, a triple accommodation is not offered. It is not advisable to book a triple accommodation for a cruise unless you book a suite or a larger stateroom.
Where do I meet my tour manager?
On tours where it is not a motorcoach tour from hometown to hometown, the tour will usually begin at your first hotel. In most cases, the tour manager will meet us at the arrival airport. Hotel addresses and phone numbers will be included in your document package.
What is an Escorted Tour?
Escorted tours make travel easy by arranging transportation, accommodations, attractions, and meals for you. Travelers get to see some of the best attractions in this great land, all at affordable prices. What better way for travelers to enjoy their free time than on an escorted tour with people just like them.
Who Takes an Escorted Tour? People who enjoy having a good time on a wonderful vacation and want to share their traveling adventures with their friends. Travelers want to be sure they are getting their money's worth on a carefully planned vacation with fun throughout the trip. Combining what travelers want in value and convenience, with the security and companionship they deserve, escorted travel offers the best way possible to vacation.
The Difference in Escorted Tours. Escorted tours include many things of great value, all at an affordable price. Here is the chance to travel to new destinations, experience the traditions of different cultures, and share the customs of neighbors near and far. People enjoy traveling in the company of others who like to do the same things with all the arrangements planned by a reputable, responsible travel expert. There is real peace of mind in that thought. Because travelers get to visit sightseeing attractions and enjoy delicious meals with other like-minded people in addition to making new found friends, all costs are reduced and money is actually saved on an escorted tour. An escorted tour company brings tour takers to the best places in the world at lower prices than the travelers would spend on their own.
Can Barbara Rice Tours book our airline reservations?
Barbara Rice Tours is happy to assist you in accommodating your flight needs. Due to tour scheduling and limited availability, you are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this. We are not responsible for air arrangements you have made on your own. On rare occasion, it is necessary to change tour dates. In this case, we can only protect air reservations booked through Barbara Rice Tours. For all air reservations, it is strongly recommended to reconfirm flights before departure in the event that the airline has an unexpected schedule change. We cannot assume responsibility for schedule changes, routings, or flight cancellations involving the airlines.
Would my tour date ever be changed?
Barbara Rice Tours reserves the right to cancel any tour prior to departure for any reason. Should this happen, Barbara Rice Tours will make every effort to protect you on another departure date and if an alternate cannot be found, a full refund will be made. Air booked through Barbara Rice Tours will be protected. We cannot be held responsible for other air arrangements.
Should you decide to change your tour date, a handling fee of $25 per transaction will be charged for any alteration made to a reservation. This includes name changes. (Revisions to air tickets are subject to the rules and regulations of the airline and fare type purchased. Revision rates vary.) A change of tour date or tour itinerary within the guidelines of the cancellation policy will be treated as a cancellation and regular cancellation fees may apply. See Cancellation Policy.
Do you accept late bookings?
Tour sales normally close 7-10 days prior to departure depending, of course, on availability of hotels, air, space on motorcoaches if the trip is a land tour, etc. A late booking fee of $25.00 may be assessed to cover express mailing of documents and other expenses incurred.
What is not included in the tour price?
The tour does not include visas for certain foreign destinations, customary end of trip gratuities for your tour manager, driver, local guides, hotel housekeepers, cruise ship wait staff, and any incidental charges. However, on escorted motorcoach tours throughout the U. S., the driver gratuity is included in the package cost of the tour.
Should I bring my walking shoes?
We pride ourselves on bringing travelers the very best experiences a destination offers. Our itineraries include many activities and may consist of walking on uneven terrain or significant walking at times. Some of the most unique sightseeing can mean accessing locations that restrict motorcoaches, especially in historic areas. For your comfort, we recommend bringing comfortable walking shoes.
Are airport transfers included in the escorted tour price?
Complimentary airport to hotel, and hotel to airport transfers at the beginning and the end of an escorted tour will be provided when you purchase an air-inclusive Barbara Rice Tours vacation. Land only clients can purchase round trip transfers at an additional cost (restrictions may apply).
What forms of payment are accepted?
Depending on the type of tour, Barbara Rice Tours accepts personal checks. When booking tours with major tour companies, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover cards are normally accepted.
How do I make my reservation?
Visit our Tour Schedule page. Once you have decided which vacation you wish to take, click the "Book Tour" button, fill out the Online Reservation Form, and we will call you as soon as possible or contact us directly at (301) 662-3053.
Can I purchase hotel nights before the tour begins or after the vacation ends?
Barbara Rice Tours offers pre and post hotel stays on many escorted tours. Most hotels offer guests special rates, which are available upon request on a space-available basis. The services of a Barbara Rice Tours tour manager are not included in pre and post stays.
What is your cancellation waiver policy?
The land and air cancellation waivers are non-refundable and must be purchased at the time deposit is made. The air cancellation waiver can only be purchased by individuals who have purchased air through Barbara Rice Tours and do not cover non-refundable airline tickets. Barbara Rice Tours is not responsible for penalties imposed by airlines.
Are there documentation requirements for entry into any countries visited?
All clients should contact the appropriate consulate for entry requirements. In addition, passengers are advised to carry a photo I.D. on all domestic and international tours. Passports and visas are required for U.S. citizens for certain countries. Please contact us for details.
When will I receive my documents?
Documents will normally be mailed two weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received. Documents may also be given individually to clients at a documentation meeting.
What is an Optional Tour?
These are activities that may enhance your trip experience. However, we leave that for you to decide. These optional tours are not included in the tour price, and you will need to pay an additional cost if you choose to participate in an optional tour. Your tour manager will have a list of available options and the associated costs. You will sign up for the optional tour(s) while on the trip, and payment can be made by cash, check, or credit card. Barbara Rice Tours carefully screens tour itineraries to be certain there are not a large number of optional tours offered. It is Barbara Rice Tours intention to include as much as possible in each tour. By booking a nearly all inclusive tour, you know upfront what the trip will cost you.
Do you rotate seats on tours?
Seats are often rotated on Barbara Rice Tours and are under the discretion of the tour manager. Some tours are not conducive for rotating seats. All Barbara Rice Tours features a No Smoking Policy. Frequent stops are made for your convenience.
What if I arrive late and miss a feature of the tour?
No refunds can be made for unused portions of any tour due to late arrivals or early departures.
Do itinerary variations occur?
In the unlikely event that services included in the tour cannot be supplied, or there are changes in an itinerary for reasons beyond the control of the company, Barbara Rice Tours will arrange for the provision of comparable services.
How much luggage can be taken on tour?
Due to limited motorcoach capacity, one piece of checked luggage per person is allowed. If you wish to bring luggage in excess of the above limitations for lengthy tours, your tour manager may charge $4.00 per bag per hotel for the extra piece of luggage. Participants will be informed of the weight and size requirements of both the checked luggage and the carry-on size prior to our departure as airline requirements vary. One piece of checked luggage is recommended as motorcoaches usually do not have extra space for two pieces of luggage per person. The Travel Tips page has helpful packing information and ideas.
Can I request a specific seat assignment on the airplane?
We will take requests for seating on all air flights and try to honor them to the best of our ability. Some airlines, however, will not pre-assign seating prior to the flights. Therefore, you will receive your seat assignment at the airport. Please check with your tour coordinator when making a reservation, and we will do our best to honor your request.
Do you take room requests?
We will take room requests and try to honor them to the best of our ability. If you want your room to be near friends that are traveling with you or you would like your room to be near an elevator, we will include that request in your reservation.