Our Email:  OldWorldTours (at) gmail.com

Tour Information

Practical information to help you plan and prepare for your personalized private tour with us.

The Private Tour Experience

Your private tour is designed exclusively around you—your interests, your pace, your preferences. Whether you're traveling as a couple, a family, or a group of friends and colleagues, every detail is customized to create an experience that's uniquely yours.

Most tours fit comfortably within a week, though we're happy to extend or condense based on your schedule. We design itineraries with seamless travel logistics in mind, particularly for guests traveling from North America. Led by an experienced Driver/Guide who manages everything from historical insights to site coordination, meals, and accommodation logistics, you're free to simply enjoy the journey.

We minimize packing days by planning stays of at least two nights in most locations, and each tour is paced to ensure you experience plenty without feeling rushed. Built-in free time allows you to explore independently, follow your curiosity, or simply relax.

Transportation is tailored to your group size: intimate groups of up to 6 travel in a spacious Mercedes van, while larger groups enjoy the comfort of a perfectly-sized coach.

Van on a beautiful road in the Black Forest

What Can Be Included

  • Because every private tour is fully customizable, you decide what's included. Here's what we typically arrange:
  • • Door-to-Door Transportation throughout your tour
    • Specialized Site Guides at key attractions
    • Skip-the-Line Access at top attractions
    • Historical Context and Background to enrich every stop
    • Expert Driver/Guide who brings stories to life
    • Accommodation - either fully arranged by us or expertly recommended for you to book independently
    • Buffet Breakfasts each morning (when accommodation is included)
    • Meals - from all-inclusive dining to select lunches and dinners based on your itinerary
    • A Smile Throughout and a warm hug (or grateful handshake) at the end

What's Typically Not Included

  • • Airfare to and from Europe
    • Personal Travel Insurance
    • Meals not specified in your custom itinerary
    • Personal expenses and shopping
    • Gratuities for your guide and driver
    • Any costs related to early arrival or late departure arrangements


Alleyway in an Italian town

Activity Level and Mobility

European travel involves walking—often quite a bit of it. Historic city centers frequently restrict vehicle access, making exploration on foot the most authentic way to experience these treasures. Our themed tours also visit locations that aren't always easily accessible: medieval castles perched on hillsides, Alpine viewpoints, historic mountaintop sites, and even WWII underground bunkers.

While we can design more accessible itineraries, all of our tours involve a good amount of walking. We strongly recommend comfortable walking shoes and honest consideration of mobility needs when planning your trip.

Please contact us to discuss the specific activity level of any tour theme. We're happy to adapt where possible to accommodate your group's needs.


Dining Philosophy

When accommodation is included in your tour, each day begins with a buffet breakfast. Beyond that, meal inclusions are entirely flexible and customized to your itinerary and preferences.

Our general approach: when we're traveling between destinations during lunch, meals are included for convenience. When exploring a town or city, you'll often have the freedom to discover local culinary experiences on your own—or we can arrange everything if you prefer.

For dinners, we typically include the first evening in a new location to help you settle in, then offer flexibility on subsequent nights once you've gotten your bearings. Of course, if you'd like all meals arranged, partial meal planning, or complete independence, we'll design accordingly.

European cuisine tends to be fresh, scratch-made, and often richer than travelers expect, thanks to high-quality ingredients like real butter and cream. When meals are included, we select authentic scratch-kitchen restaurants. Gratuities are covered in included meals, though you're always welcome to add a little extra for exceptional service.

Dinner at restaurant with red wine

Hotel Room in Germany

Accomodations

We carefully curate hotel selections to complement the character and flow of your tour. Our considerations include location, atmosphere, service quality, room comfort, variety of room configurations, bathroom amenities, breakfast quality, and on-site or nearby dining options.

Our standard is four-star hotels, though certain tours may feature five-star luxury when it enhances the experience, while others may be perfectly suited to quality three-star-plus properties that offer authentic charm and excellent value.

Complete Flexibility: Tours can be booked with full accommodation arrangements or with expert recommendations for you to book independently—particularly helpful when using award points or loyalty programs. We provide detailed guidance either way.

Feel free to contact us to learn more about accommodation options for any tour.