FAQs
Founder | Experts | FAQs | Testimonials | Contact Us
Can I bring my partner or spouse?
Yes, absolutely.
If I travel alone, how to I choose a roommate?
Angela matches roommates by gender, age, and interests. Friendships have been made this way!
Can I bring a pet?
Sorry, we cannot accommodate this request.
Can I smoke?
Smoking is permissible outdoors only.
How many on a trip?
Usually 10 to 18 are on a trip. 10 travelers is the minimum.
Is the price guaranteed?
CSA reserves the right to increase the trip costs by $300.Prices may change up to the time of travel due to unpredictable circumstances such as increased hotel rates and exchange rates. The trips during 2009 did not increas in price.
What is the age range of travelers?
All ages: from 22-70. Usually travelers are of every social group: single, married, gay. Groups of friends and parents and their children travel with CSA.
What is a Seminar Traveler and a Leisure Traveler?
Some travelers are coming to paint or photograph; or to learn about history and literature; or to enjoy the outdoors on naturalists seminars. These are Seminar Travelers and others not joining the seminar are Leisure Travelers and they stay at the same villa or hotel, everyone eats together, and joins the excursions together. Leisure Travelers don’t pay the instruction fee.
Where do we eat?
CSA normally provides breakfast. All the residences and villas are close to restaurants and grocery shops. You can buy your own food and cook. You are free to join the group or not join the group for meals.
What about cooking?
Some of the best memories guests have involve cooking together or creating poolside picnics at the villas. There are always bottles of wine and excellent food in the refrigerators and in the restaurants.
Is there internet access?
Not all villas have internet access but all the towns we visit have internet cafes’. Our CSA trips including hotels all have internet.
How do we get around?
Some guests rent cars because they wish to see more sites. We normally walk, call a taxi, or take the local bus to get around. CSA does provide 2 or 3 excursions by van but does not pay for taxis, train, bus, and boat rides unless specifically stated.
How long are the excursions?
Our excursions are for half days and for whole days.traveling in air-conditioned Mercedes Benz motorcoaches.
Do we have to go on the planned excursions?
No. Excursions are included but your participation is optional. Most travelers plan their own additional excursions.
Are excursions guided tours?
No. CSA staff provides a general overview of the history and culture of the sites the excursions include. Once at the site, you are on your own to explore. We usually meet for lunch and discuss our adventures. So your excursion is self-guided and the group normally stays together. Special sites have guided tours for a fee for example Pompeii, Siracusa, and the catacombs of Rome.
Do I need to Tip?
Yes. But not as much as in the USA.
How do I use Taxis?
In Europe, it is best to take a Taxis from a stand. Always make sure the meter is on before taking a taxi and you don’t neet to tip. If you do, use exact change. Taxis are not included in CSA trips.
What grade is the hotel or villa?
The villas are normally Deluxe and the hotels are normally three -four star hotels.
What are the bathrooms like?
Bathrooms are routinely small in Europe at hotels and restaurants. Cleanliness also ranges widely However, they are modernizing each year.
What if I want to change my room?
CSA will try its best to situate you in another hotel room or room at the villa. However, this may cost extra.
Can I buy art supplies there?
Yes. CSA painting trip locations are in places where you can buy supplies. But please note that art supplies and film are more expensive abroad.
What levels are the photography and painting travelers?
All levels. Steve Cushner and Chan Chao are very experienced teaching varying degrees of artists. Most travelers are intermediate to advanced but we always have one or two beginners. For the Jane Austen Seminar, you need to read three novels. For the Jewish Rome seminar you do not need to prepare. Contact each of the seminar leaders or Angela with your questions.
How do the seminar students, travelers and the guests get along?
Great! In every past trip, guests have been free to enjoy the sites while the seminar students learn history/literature or paint and photograph. Some create strong friendships and plan future trips together.
Can I work on my Digital Photography?
Yes, in April in Paris the photographers that bring laptops will have internet access and can work digitally.Our hotel has internet and wireless available.
Can I rent a bike or motorcycle?
This varies from town to town. We can help make arrangements once we arrive.
What does CSA not include in the trip?
We do not include lunch, dinner, or taxis. CSA will include train, bus, and boat trips if specifically stated.
_____________________________________________________________