FAQ
Is Vivitravels.com a full-service travel agency?
No, it is not. Vivitravels is a platform connecting travelers with on-site agents and partners selected all over the world. Our mission is to offer all travelers an easy way to choose, customize and plan tailor-made journeys to any destination in the world. We develop tools and services allowing you to create trips and buy them directly from our partners, safely and quickly, with no middlemen involved. Vivitravels does not sell trips directly, but it earns money from local partners; our remuneration comes from the marketing costs paid by our partners, thus our service does not affect the bottom price you will pay. In fact, as set down in our partnership agreement, the price you'll be requested to pay is the best fare that the partner can make available online.
What is a tailor-made trip?
It is a trip that is planned to perfectly fit your needs and desires. It is a one-of-a-kind journey, designed just for you, without falling back on one-size-fits-all travel solutions. Our skilled partners are able to help you choose the very best travel option according to your specific needs. That is what being a genuine traveler is all about!
Can I create a last-minute tailor-made trip?
A tailor-made trip can be planned through a quick exchange of e-mails with our partners, but this unlikely to happen in a couple of days’ time.
All the activities related to the customization (availability confirmation, quotation of all the travel options, special requests, etc.) usually require from one to two business weeks depending on the kind of trip and destination.
If you are particularly fond of last minute trips, Vivitravels features a section with lots of relevant deals and standard vacation packages. All you need to do is find the one you prefer, request a quotation and get ready to leave in a few days’ time. In order to get the best accommodation solutions, take into consideration the seasonality of the place you are going to visit and request your quotation well in advance.
Who are Vivitravels partners?
They are travel professionals living in the area you are going to visit. They are selected by our on-site agents and boast at least a 5-year experience in the industry. They know everything about their country of reference and the planning of all-round customized travel solutions.
They usually operate through big travel agencies and tour operators; thanks to Vivitravels, they have the chance to sell their services directly to customers, without middlemen.
What's the Vivitravels partner area of reference?
Partners live and work on the spot, are highly knowledgeable about their country and love creating non-standard trips. You can trust our partners, as they went through a thorough selection process and meet very high standards.
Which language should I use to get in touch with Vivitravels partners?
All trip plans showcased on Vivitravels are meant for travelers coming from all over the world, so we have decided to speak with our customers in English, which is also spoken by all of our partners. If you are not a native English speaker, you might want to speak your native language; Vivitravels is ready to communicate with you in French, Spanish, Italian, German, Russian and Chinese. Our local agents are committed to making sure that the chosen partners will be aware of needs and attitudes specifically related to the travelers’ nationality.
Can I travel on my own?
Definitely. Our trip plans can always be booked by individual travelers, sailing trips included. Feel free to request a custom quotation: we will be more than happy to help you. If you prefer, we can also choose the best travel option for you together.
Are children allowed on the trips available on Vivitravels?
Of course they are! Vivitravels offers stunning family vacation experiences that will make you children happy. When necessary, some child-related restrictions may apply to some trips. We know that real travelers always bring their children with them, and we agree with that, but we encourage them to opt for private tours, so that children’s needs can be easily satisfied without affecting the activities of a group. Some restrictions may apply to sailing trips, cabin charters, luxury trips or hotels recommended for romantic getaways. When it comes to sport and adventure-themed trips, people under the age of 16 or 18 are usually not allowed. The way children and adults live their own vacation is pretty different. At sunset, children would take their last dip of the day, while a romantic couple would probably enjoy that very same moment by sipping some wine and cherishing the sunset. Vivitravels partners are more than happy to support you in choosing the best travel solution, for your children, too.
Are pets allowed on the trips available on Vivitravels?
Pets are more than welcome, in full compliance with local laws and customs. Pets are not permitted on sailing trips and group tours.
Can I book a customized low-calorie menu?
Trips made available by Vivitravels are very different in terms of destination and kind of accommodation. In fact, accommodation solutions range from boutique hotels to desert camping. Nowadays, the travel industry offers different service levels; if there is no mentioning about the chance to opt for a customized menu in the trip information and conditions, we strongly encourage you to contact the relevant partners to check if they can meet your dietary requirements.
Especially for sport and adventure-themed trips, please bear in mind that partners have to be notified about your dietary needs well in advance to allow them to check if your any request can be satisfied. In case the food and drinks you need are not available on-site, you are kindly invited to bring them with you.
What kind of clothing and accessories should I bring with me?
It depends on when your journey takes place, and you also have to consider your destination and the kind of trip you have chosen. You can find relevant information in the “good to know” and “useful info” sections. “Simplicity” is definitely the keyword to bear in mind when traveling; you will fully enjoy your trip if you don't bring too much stuff with you!
What are the required papers?
It depends on your destination. Check out the “useful info” section of the trip you have chosen in order to know what papers you'll need.
Am I supposed to tip our group leader/guide/skipper?
We would like to clarify that local partners are not entitled to get tips. As regards tour leaders, guides, skippers and crew members, tipping is at your discretion. Tipping is mandatory in some countries, while it is compulsory in others. Tips are always welcome, anyway.
Am I supposed to pay additional costs, the tourist tax and the like?
Yes, you are requested to pay the tourist tax, entry tickets to natural parks and other additional costs that may apply in the country you are visiting or in specific isles or areas within the same country. An estimation of such costs is usually provided to you by the Vivitravels partner, once your departure date has been set.
The trips I saw on the site are very interesting, but I am looking for something different. What can I do?
If you've browsed our site and haven't found what you were looking for, send us a request with your specific desiderata. We will gladly get back to you to plan your next dream journey together.
Can I customize my journey?
Of course you can. You just need to get in touch with our partner. A wide range of elements can be adapted to your needs: the duration of the stages, the itinerary, means of transportation, the accommodation, optional excursions and activities. It all depends on the time and the budget you can invest in your journey. Every partner we cooperate with is an expert at planning tailor-made journeys and is able to satisfy all your travel needs.
How can I request a quotation
There is nothing easier than that! You just have to fill out the online form available on Vivitravels.com or on any site of our network. You will receive a customized quotation stating your full itinerary, details on accommodation facilities, costs and all the elements the fare includes/excludes.
How can I confirm a tailor-made trip quotation or a standard package tour quotation?
It is very easy, you'll just have to confirm your acceptance of the travel services purchase agreement of the specific partner. You will find such confirmation in your personal area on the Vivitravels site.
Who is in charge of making decisions about the travel schedule once arrived at destination?
It depends on the kind of tour you have chosen. If you have decided on a one-person or a private tour, then you can make changes to the travel schedule along with your guide at any moment. Weather permitting and within the local law, the guide will be more than happy to meet your change requests. Please bear in mind that guides are responsible for your safety, so they have the final say on every last minute change. When it comes to group tours, the travel schedule cannot change.
Should I take out travel insurance before I leave?
Yes, it is always advisable, especially if you happen to cancel your reservation or have to deal with lost or damaged luggage. Also repatriation and healthcare costs can be taken in stride if you are covered by insurance. If you pay by credit card, an insurance coverage might be provided directly by the credit card company, but we encourage you to check on that. If you pay online by credit card, Vivitravels makes a travel insurance policy available to you; it covers healthcare and repatriation costs.
Can Vivitravels be held responsible for the journey?
No, it cannot. Only partners shall be liable for the services they sell. Vivitravels will commit to engaging with the relevant partners in order to solve any potential issues. In the unlikely event that a partner runs out of business and is thus not able to adhere to the contract, Vivitravels will fall back on another partner to provide affected travelers with alternative travel services free of change.
Do Vivitravels partners provide intercontinental flights
Local partners do not usually provide intercontinental flights. They just provide the short-haul flights included in the showcased tours. As a consequence, the deals available online do not usually include intercontinental flights. Vivitravels cooperates with the largest online and offline travel operators to provide the best flight deals available. Book your intercontinental flight now
How can I safely pay the Vivitravels local partners?
In order to allow travelers to pay for their trips in the safest way possible, Vivitravels makes the PayPal platform available to its users; credit cards and prepaid cards are thus accepted without additional costs. The PayPal transaction completes the travel services purchase agreement. You will then receive an e-mail with your trip confirmation number. If you opted for a bank transfer, the contract will be complete once the credit entry is recorded. The payment terms, as well as all the details about the deposit and the full payment, are specified by the partner in the contract.
Can I provide my review on a trip booked through Vivitravels?
Of course you can. We constantly take traveler reviews into consideration in order to improve our services. After your return, you will receive an e-mail inviting you to send some pictures and express your thoughts about your vacation. The best pictures of tailor-made trips will be published. All reviews will be published as we receive them, without any changes.
How much do I save if I book a trip through Vivitravels?
Buying your trip from one of our local partners through Vivitravels.com will save you about 20-30% in comparison to a standard purchase involving a tour operator or a travel agency. Though you might happen to find lower prices on the Web, you have to take into consideration the service level and the quality of our offers. Thanks to our meticulous assessment process, which allows us to select experienced partners to cooperate with, we are able to guarantee high standards. We strongly encourage you to watch out for extremely cheap deals.
What am I supposed to do upon my arrival?
It depends on the kind of trip you have booked. In most cases, you will meet our local partner at the airport He or she will assist you throughout your whole journey.
It might happen that the “meet & greet” service and airport transfers are not included in the trip you have chosen. This might be the case for sailing trips and tours provided by some small-sized local companies. The trip conditions and details specify whether such services are included or not. Anyway, before you set off, the partner will send you all the necessary instructions in order to reach your destination and get your vacation started. Are you ready to enjoy your dream journey?
What I am supposed to do if inconveniences arise?
We really hope this doesn't happen, but in case of issues you can find an emergency mobile phone number in your travel documents. Our local partners will answer in English and will be at your disposal in order to help you solve any problem. The partners will notify us if you are experiencing emergency situations, so we will also be able to provide additional support.
