Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book a sloWays holiday?
If you have chosen your next trip from the website and want to proceed with the booking, you have two options:
Calculate the provisional price for your trip through our online calculation system: insert all the information needed (number of people, type of room required, dates, etc) and the system will calculate a provisional price for your trip and send a request to our office. We will get back to you to proceed with the reservation. Please note that the price calculated by the system may not be the final price of your trip: this will only be confirmed once we have checked all the hotel availability.
Send us an email at info@sloways.eu or call us at +39 055 2340736. To proceed with the reservation, we will need some basic information such as your preferred departure date, the number of people travelling and the kind of rooms that you will need. We will also aks you if you have any kind of special request or change you would like to apply to the original programme – an accommodation upgrade, an additional night or shorter stages.
Can I book additional nights?
Yes, based on hotel availability. In the self-guided and tailor-made trips you can add nights before, during and after the trip. If you want to spend an additional night somewhere along the way but you are not sure where, we will be happy to suggest the worthiest locations.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are welcome in most of SloWays trips. The dog-friendly trips are marked with a specific “dog paw sticker”. See here for the full list of dog-friendly trips or select “with your dogs” in the “Activity” panel of the Trip Finder, in the homepage.
Can I bring my kids?
We are always happy to have families travelling with us: several trips that are not specifically marked as “family trips” can be customized to suit little travelers (for example reducing the number of kilometers with a private transfer or public transportation or booking multiple rooms.) Contact us and we will be happy to help you build the perfect family trip.
Is the booking automatically confirmed as soon as I book?
No, but here you can find a detailed step by step explanation of the booking process.
Do I have to pay a deposit?
Yes, we require a 30% deposit, after which we will book all your accommodation and services (unless it’s a last minute request, in which case we’ll require the payment of the entire quote). As soon as availability is fully confirmed, we will send you a travel confirmation complete with your final price and payment information for your remaining balance.
How in advance should I book?
We suggest booking at least two months prior to the preferred departure date.
This makes easier to find availability in the hotels and allows plenty of time to organize your trip. We are often able to confirm last-minute requests (2/3 weeks before departure), but finding availability is not always easy – especially in high season.
In this case we may be forced to book alternative accommodation, with the possibility that the final price may result higher than the website standard. Some trips (such as the Camino de Santiago) should be booked way in advance, as they are highly requested, and the accommodation availability is limited.
When will I receive my travel documentation?
You will receive your documentation via email, approx. one month prior your departure day. You can also request to have a printed paper version at the hotel, by paying an extra fee.
Can I receive the GPS tracks of the trip?
On request, we can also provide GPS tracks, although you should not need them. By downloading our SloWays APP (available for both iOS and Android) you will be able to download the maps for your whole trip allowing off-line navigation.
I have special dietary needs. Will the hotels be notified?
Of course, at the time of booking we inform all the hotels about any special request or dietary restriction. To make sure your requirements are properly addressed, we ask you to remind the hotel of your specific needs when arriving at the hotel.
Can you book my flight or train ticket?
No. we do not currently offer ticketing services. We can provide private transfers from and to the airport / train station. These services are usually not included in our trips and should be specifically requested, but check the included / not included section of the tour page to make sure that this is the case for the tour that you are interested in.
Can I change the trip starting point?
It is usually possible to change the starting point of self-guided trips and long-distance trails (Via Francigena / St. Francis Walk) provided that this is along the established route.
On the contrary, it is unfortunately not possible to change the starting point of guided group trips and some self-guided ones, depending on the organization. Feel free to contact us about the trip that you are interested in and we will let you know if such change is possible.
What kind of accommodation do you usually include?
We generally use 3* hotels, b&b and agriturismo – some of them may be 2* or 4*, depending on local availability. All accommodation has en suite bathroom, with a few exceptions such as mountain huts, that will always be clearly stated in the vouchers. The hotels have been chosen based on the quality of reception, position, local character, and owners -we tend to prefer family-owned hotels with a personal character.
The kind of accommodation can vary depending on the trip, but it is always well specified in our documentation. In some smaller villages along Via Francigena or other long-distance trails the variety of accommodation is limited, and in this case, we always use the best available choice.
At the time of booking – especially for last-minute bookings – should the standard accommodation be fully booked we may be forced to book alternative hotels. In this case we will always notify you about the hotel change and any potential supplement or discount – in which case you will be free to decide whether you want to proceed with the booking.
If you would like a hotel upgrade for your trip, please feel free to ask and we will do our best to make it happen.
What if it rains?
One of the few things that we can’t control is the weather. Do not let the rain spoil your holiday: if you are appropriately equipped, even walking or riding under the rain can be fun. A good rain-proof jacket, an umbrella, a poncho… there are several solutions to face a bad weather day; we suggest that you always bring a rain-proof jacket with you even in the sunniest day, especially in spring and autumn.
In case of thunderstorms or weather alerts, do not put yourself in danger and call us: we will help you find the best solution to reach your next accommodation. We can also suggest an alternative way to spend the day, to make the most out of the situation.
At what time will my luggage be taken and left to the next hotel?
We ask to leave your bag, complete with a name tag, at the reception by 8.30 am: our driver will pick it up and take to the next accommodation by 4pm.
We suggest that you always bring a small backpack with what you will need for the day and a change of clothes, so that you can get changed in case you get to the hotel before your bag.
Is there any cancellation fee should I decide to cancel my reservation?
It depends on the timing. Please check the dedicated section of our website for further information.
Have you got an insolvency/bankrupcy policy?
Within the context of travel packages, travelers are eligible for protection in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the organizer or seller, regardless of their origin, place of departure or place of package sale, and regardless of the Member State in which the person in charge of providing protection in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy is based.
SloWays, in order to fully comply with this obligation, has stipulated Fondo Vacanze Felici (registration number 2632) for abroad trips and trips that take place within a single country, including trips to Italy, in cases of insolvency or bankruptcy pursuant to art. 47 of the cod.tur. This guarantees, at the request of the registered User/traveller, the reimbursement of the price paid for the purchase of the package and the immediate return of the traveler in the event that the package includes transport of the traveler (tel. 02 – 92979050)
