Frequently Asked Questions

We don't sell packages — we design trips. Every itinerary is built around you: your pace, your interests, your group. You won't share a coach with strangers or follow a fixed schedule. We handle everything from private guides to restaurant reservations, and we stay available throughout the trip in case anything needs adjusting.

Yes — all published itineraries are starting points, not fixed products. Want to extend by three days, swap a city, or add a cooking class in a farmhouse outside Siena? We build those changes in. If you'd rather start from a blank page, use the Plan My Trip form and we'll design something from scratch.

We specialise in Europe: Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Croatia are our core destinations. We're actively building itineraries for Scandinavia, France, and the Baltic States. If your destination isn't listed, contact us — if we know it well enough to do it properly, we'll take it on.

All our guides speak English fluently, and many are native speakers. For specific requests — a French-speaking guide for a family trip to Provence, or a Greek archaeologist to walk you through Delphi — let us know when you enquire and we'll match accordingly.

Private tours are exclusively your party — no one else joins. Small group tours run with a maximum of 12 guests. If you're travelling with a larger group (corporate retreats, multi-family holidays, incentive travel), we handle those too — speak to our business travel team.

For peak summer travel (June–August), we recommend enquiring at least four to six months ahead. Shoulder season travel (April–May, September–October) is typically fine with two to three months' notice. Last-minute trips are possible but may limit accommodation and guide availability at the level we prefer.

Absolutely. We note all dietary requirements when planning restaurant bookings, cooking experiences, and included meals. Serious allergies (anaphylactic, coeliac disease) are flagged to every venue in advance. Please be specific when you enquire — the more we know, the better we can prepare.

Yes. Many European destinations are navigable with the right planning — the challenge is knowing which sites and hotels are genuinely accessible versus technically compliant. We've done the groundwork and will tell you honestly what's feasible and what isn't for your specific situation.

Yes — these are some of our most rewarding trips to plan. Private dining in a 15th-century Florentine palazzo, a sunrise helicopter over the Santorini caldera, champagne waiting in your room with hand-picked local flowers. Tell us about the occasion and we'll build something around it.

It starts with a conversation, not a payment. You enquire via the Plan My Trip form or email us directly. We come back with a proposed itinerary and quote, typically within two business days. Once you're happy with the design, we confirm with a deposit. Final payment is due six weeks before departure.

We require a 25% deposit to confirm your booking and begin all reservations. The remaining 75% is due no later than six weeks before your travel start date.

Cancellations made more than 90 days before departure receive a full deposit refund, minus a €150 administration fee. Between 60–90 days: 50% of total cost. Between 30–60 days: 75% of total cost. Under 30 days: no refund. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance with cancellation cover — we can recommend providers on request.

We accept bank transfer (SEPA and SWIFT), major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard), and Wise for international payments. All pricing is quoted in EUR by default; USD and GBP are available on request and subject to a fixed rate agreed at the time of booking.

All prices on the website are per person, based on double occupancy. Solo traveller pricing and group rates are calculated individually — contact us for a quote specific to your party size.

All accommodation at the properties listed in the itinerary, private airport transfers, a private driver and vehicle throughout, expert local guides at all major sites, a dedicated trip manager contactable throughout, selected meals as listed per tour, entrance fees to all included sites, and a pre-departure information pack. Check the specific 'What's Included' section on each tour page for the full list.

Flights to and from your home country are not included — they vary too much by origin city to include fairly in a packaged price. We can recommend trusted flight-booking partners, advise on which airports to use, and arrange ground transfers from any airport in the destination country.

Yes — travel insurance is mandatory for all Hamilton & Chase tours. At minimum, your policy must cover trip cancellation, medical expenses (€500,000 minimum), and emergency evacuation. We won't issue final travel documents without confirmation of adequate cover. We're happy to recommend insurers if needed.

Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included in the tour price. We provide clear guidance in your pre-departure pack on appropriate amounts by country — this varies significantly across Europe and we want to help you navigate it comfortably.

Your dedicated trip manager is available by phone and WhatsApp throughout your trip. Their direct number is provided in your travel documents before departure. For genuine emergencies outside business hours, our 24/7 emergency line is +1 646-466-6841. We respond — always.

It happens — you fall in love with a town and want to stay an extra night, or the weather turns and you'd rather skip the boat trip. Your trip manager handles changes in real time. Some changes incur additional costs (non-refundable reservations, last-minute bookings); we'll always tell you the cost before you decide.

We provide general guidance on entry requirements for European destinations — most EU countries are visa-free for US, UK, Canadian, and Australian passport holders, though ETIAS registration will be required from 2025. For complex situations (dual nationals, non-standard passports, longer stays), we recommend consulting your country's foreign ministry or a specialist immigration adviser.

Yes — if your flight is delayed or rescheduled, your driver will wait or be rerouted. We track incoming flights and adjust logistics without you needing to manage anything. For longer delays or itinerary-disrupting situations, your trip manager will work out the best path forward with you directly.