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      Trip Information & Frequently Asked Questions Sign me up! How do I reserve a place on a trip? First, e-mail or call to notify BTSA of your intention to register and to make sure there are spaces available. (Our trips are small groups of usually less than 12 people and some fill up fast.) Simply paying for a trip with PayPal or sending a check does not assure you a place on a trip! Then, download and fill out the participant form and the contract, below and mail them, along with a non-refundable check deposit or PAYPAL payment for $500. Let us know if you can't download the forms and we will send them by mail. Make checks payable to Behind the Scenes Adventures:
After receiving your $500 deposit, we will confirm your reservation and send you a packet containing full trip itinerary, lists of what to bring, list of hotels, weather cnditions, and more details. Note the date that the final payment is due for your particular trip. (If balances due are not paid by the due date, we will notify you for payment. Then, we reserve the right to offer your place to someone on the waiting list.) What is included in the tour price?
We'll stay in charming hotels in good locations, and eat in a variety of good restaurants serving typical local or continental cuisine. We don't have pre-planned meals; you will be able to order your choice of dishes in restaurants. Occasionally we have a picnic lunch. Optional single supplement is available for most trips; ask how much it will be if you choose a single room. If you are traveling alone,and want to share a room, we will find a friendly trip participant to be your roommate! If there is no roommate for you, you will need to pay a single supplement price which varies by trip. You will then have a single room and the partial payment will help offset the costs to BTSA. This is called an Involuntary Single. Please note that international airfaire, alcoholic beverages, overweight luggage charges, airport departure transportation, departure taxes, and tips for porters are not included, unless noted. If you have further questions please contact us regarding the details of the adventure you are interested in. Is it possible to talk with a past Behind the Scenes trip participant about his or her experience? Of course! We have a list of past travelers who will be glad to answer specific questions about the tours. Just ask, and we will send you the phone number of someone in your area.
How much experience do the BTSA trip leaders have? Cynthia herself has led private and group textile and festival tours for eighteen years. For many years, she led research trips for the University of California (UREP) program. She has taken 33 trips to Bolivia and Peru, and dozens to Turkey, Thailand, Laos, Mali, Ghana, and Mexico. Other trip leaders have been assisting Behind The Scenes for the past 12 years in both South America and Southeast Asia; see Trip Leaders. They are all experts in their fields of ethnic art, indigenous textiles and culture, etc. Cynthia is married to Barou Samake, Behind the Scenes' West Africa Specialist, and together they lead the Mali, Ghana and Burkina adventures. All BTSA leaders receive rave reviews from past trip participants for their enthusiasm and knowledge . I am concerned about my personal safety in an unfamiliar country. What precautions does BTSA take to keep their adventures as safe as possible? Naturally, we make every possible effort to keep BTSA travelers safe and happy! You will be met upon arrival at the destination airport, by a BTSA representative/driver and will be escorted back to the airport when you depart. We stay in secure and atmospheric hotels whose owners we have known for dozens of years; we usually have assistants or guides to help with your luggage, market purchases, etc. During the trips, we make a point of using trusted and known van and taxi drivers and bus companies whenever possible; with all our contacts we have many friends who drive the rented mini-vans and other transportation. BTSA's trip leaders are all experienced and saavy travelers; we also give safety rules and pointers along the way to prevent petty thefts and pickpocketing, problems that actually aren't too common in the countries where we travel. How do I make my plane reservations to arrive and depart at the right times? BTSA provides a complete itinerary to you well in advance of your trip, so that you can schedule your international flight with the help of a travel agent or a website. We'd be more than happy to make suggestions and to discuss your flight itinerary with you should you have any questions. The best fares are often found on the internet, however a good travel agent can be a real friend, finding you good connections, prices, seats and upgrades. Specific information about arrival and departure plans and arrangements will be sent with your information packet. You will be met at the destination airport on arrival, either by a BTSA tour leader or by a hotel representative/driver with a sign with your name.
How many people will I be traveling with? Our maximum group is usually between twelve and fourteen adventurers. This group size allows us to visit remote villages and sites by private van and to interact on a personal level with the artisans of these locales. What will the weather be like? What clothes should I bring? Once your deposit is paid, you will receive detailed information about the weather, what to take, background information on the culture of the country or countries to be visited, etc. You are also encouraged to send us e-mail or phone us with any additional questions.  |
