WANDERTOURS TRAVEL DETAILS
1. GETTING TO NEW ORLEANS
Q. How do you recommend I get from the New Orleans airport to the hotel in the French Quarter?
A. You have several options. You can either take a taxi, which will take you directly to the hotel or take a shuttle, which will likely take longer as you’ll be sharing the ride with other people. The taxi fare will cost $36 – $50 one way for up to two passengers and the shuttle will cost $24 one way. The shuttle service can be reserved in advance and there is a discount for booking a round-trip fare.
Q. What time should I plan to arrive and depart when booking my flights for the tour?
A. The tour officially starts with a walking tour of the French Quarter in the afternoon. However, if you are able to arrive earlier in the day (or in the days prior), we can provide you with some suggestions on what to do with your free time.
Breakfast is included on the last morning of the tour, so if you want to eat with people and have some time to say goodbye, you could plan to leave the hotel late morning.
Q. If I want to arrive earlier (or stay extra days) can you make hotel arrangements for me?
A. Absolutely! As soon as you book your flights, let us know which nights you’ll need additional accommodations and we’ll handle that (based on availability, of course). We can also book additional nights after the tour if you’d like to relax and sightsee before heading home.
2. WHILE VISITING NEW ORLEANS
Q. Should I rent a car?
A. There’s no need to rent a car during the tour but if you plan to tour around prior to or after the actual itinerary dates you might consider it. It is certainly not needed. Please note that parking in the French Quarter (including through the hotel’s valet service) can be quite expensive.
Q. How much walking will there be on the tour?
A. Most of the tour is in the French Quarter where it’s more practical to walk than drive so please wear comfortable walking shoes. We can arrange for a taxi if you don’t want to walk (to Mulate’s for example). On the occasions where we are outside of the French Quarter, other transportation has been arranged (bike taxi, shuttle and bus).
Q. Will water be readily available?
A. We do not provide bottled water on this tour as we strongly urge our tour participants to carry their own reusable water bottle and fill it up at the hotel so as to cut down on the number of plastic water bottles that get thrown out/recycled.
Q. What will the weather be like in May?
A. Typically May is one of the most pleasant months to be in New Orleans with temps in the 70’s. Having said that, it can reach the high 80’s or mid-50’s with possible rain.
3. HOTEL INFORMATION
Q. Do you know the name of the hotel where we will be staying?
A. Hotel information is listed on the tour itinerary but we usually don’t have this confirmed until right before the tour (in case there are any last-minute changes). We will send you the name and contact information of the hotel a couple of weeks before the tour start date and we encourage you to leave this with family and/or friends in case of emergency.
Q. Does the hotel have a fitness center and/or safe walking routes and will there be time to get some exercise?
A. It’s best to check the hotel website on the New Orleans itinerary for specific amenities. We will be walking every day of the tour, but you may have some free time to explore or enjoy the amenities at the hotel in the early mornings or late afternoons.
Q. Is there a pool at the hotel?
A. There will most likely be a pool at our hotel so you might consider packing a swimsuit. There is a link to the hotel on the itinerary page so you can check for hotel amenities.
Q. Are there hair dryers at the hotels?
A. Yes, there will be hair dryers at our hotel.
4. PACKING INFORMATION
Q. How should I pack for the weather?
A. You will receive a packing list that will help guide you. Be prepared for rain with an umbrella and light raincoat but also know that it can get either quite hot or cool. Keep an eye on the forecast just prior to departure so you’ll know how to pack.
Q. Do I need to bring dressy clothes?
A. You might plan on wearing something a bit dressier for our final evening dinner but otherwise our dining will be relatively low-key. Think fun and festive more than dressy. Most days will be spent walking the city so be sure to have some comfortable shoes with you.
Q. What tricks do you use to fit all that stuff into a carry-on and still have room somewhere for souvenirs?
A. Check out this article on secrets to packing light.
5. MONEY, GIFTS, TIPS
Q. Should I be prepared to tip any of our guides in New Orleans?
A. Nope, it’s all taken care of on this tour.
Q. Will I need cash for anything on the tour?
A. You may want some small bills to tip at the hotel or at restaurants, but ATMs are readily available.
6. WANDERTOURS TRAVEL DETAILS
Q. Do I need insurance for this tour?
A. Until the pandemic has been declared over, we ask that all tour participants acquire travel insurance. We have now partnered with Travel Insured International so that you have ability to purchase “cancel for any reason” insurance. We HIGHLY recommend travel insurance (no matter who your provider is) to protect your travel investment from any future issues. Although we are technically not requiring it, you will be asked to sign additional paperwork acknowledging the risk of traveling without insurance.
Q. Is there a schedule for installment payments?
A.We don’t have anything formal set up but you can definitely send in payments on your own schedule. Some people send in monthly payments while other people send in payments when it’s convenient.
Q. Will you be sending an updated itinerary with our overnight accommodations so we can leave it with folks at home?
A. Yes, you’ll receive the hotel information as well as emergency contact information one to two weeks before departure.
Q. What’s the emergency contact info that I can give my family?
A. Along with the hotel contact information, you will be given a cell phone number for your tour escort shortly before departure.
Q. Will I receive a refund if I have to cancel my participation in this tour?
A. Once you have paid a deposit, there is a cancellation fee if you cannot join us. The cancellation fee depends on the tour and how far in advance of the tour you cancel. Our refund policy is covered in our Booking Terms and Conditions and is also outlined on the Registration Form that you’ll receive within 24 hours of registering with a deposit.
Any refunds will be sent by check within two weeks of our receiving written notification of your cancellation (email notification is fine). We will respond via email and ask for confirmation of your mailing address for any refunds. Address must be confirmed within six months, otherwise expect forfeiture of refund as we close out our books at that time.