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Flexi is valid for all destinations and trips that we offer.

If passengers want to book different fares, they must make a separate reservation for each traveller. To share a room, both travellers should choose the option “half double room”. Our Travel Specialists will make sure that passengers are assigned a room together after the reservation is made.

Changing fares is possible with an unconfirmed reservation. We cannot change fares for confirmed reservations.

Bookings in a different class, even if with the same airline or standard group flights (both outbound and inbound), are not eligible for Flexi fare and must be booked as Classic.

Yes, other activities or excursions can be added to the itinerary in the flexi fare.

Yes, other activities or excursions can be added to the itinerary in the Flexi fare as well as Classic fare after booking.

We will happily process a rebooking against the price of the FLEXI fee.

We will happily process a rebooking against the price of the FLEXi fee. In addition, we will charge an additional flat EUR 100 fee per PAX for rebooking the local/regional flights for excursions.

Whether passengers booked in the Classic fare or the Flexi fare, we will reimburse the full amount of the down payment if we can’t reach the minimum number of people for the trip to go ahead.

Yes, we gladly accept reservations in the Flexi fare if no international flights are needed.

Your trip will be protected by the DRSF, which is a legally compliant form of protection similar in nature to ABTA protection, meaning it does not cover flights.

DRSF stands for Deutscher Reisesicherungsfonds (German Travel Security Fund). As a Ventura TRAVEL customer, your payments are protected by DRSF, ensuring your money is safe and you are covered in the unlikely event of insolvency. You will receive a security certificate with your booking for your peace of mind.

DRSF protection is sufficient under the 2018 UK Package Travel Regulations and has been reviewed and confirmed by our UK legal representatives.

Please note, our team will happily advise you on recommended routes, timings and airlines to make your entire holiday flow as seamlessly as possible.

You can get a visa on arrival in Japan for tourism for up to 90 days. You do not need to apply before you travel. You can find the latest visa infotmation for Japan here

Our cancellation and refund policies are clearly outlined during booking; We offer flexible terms, but details may vary by trip. Please refer to the specific trip page or contact us for more information. You can also find a link to our terms here.

You can book directly on our website or by contacting our UK team. We accept major credit cards and bank transfers. Payment plans may be available for some trips.

Ja, wenden Sie sich einfach an Ihren Reiseberater, um die Bedingungen zu erfahren. Die Höhe des Preisnachlasses hängt vom Abreisedatum und der geplanten Fluggesellschaft ab. Bitte beachten Sie, dass wir Sonderkonditionen erhalten und der Preisnachlass daher nicht immer dem öffentlichen Preis entspricht.

Japan cultivates the art of gift-giving. Your stay with a Japanese family is also an opportunity to share your culture by bringing, if you wish, a small gift or a specialty from your county or region.

Absolutely! Many of our guests travel solo. We offer the option to share a room with another solo traveller or book a single room for an additional fee.

You don't need to exchange your pounds before the trip. You can withdraw or exchange money once you arrive.

In Japan, you have several options:

Exchange your currency locally (from GBP to yen) at a bank or exchange bureau.

Use ATMs, readily available throughout the city, which accept international credit cards (open 24/7). You can also withdraw cash directly from banks or post offices, with a fee of approximately £3 per withdrawal if you use a VISA card. If you have a different card, check with your bank.

Visa and Mastercard are accepted in most major Japanese cities, but less often in small villages or in the countryside.

Even though withdrawing cash is very easy almost everywhere, it's not common to pay by card in many restaurants or shops. So remember to always carry some cash with you.

Once you have made your booking we will send you a complete packing list of what to take.

Bathing has a long tradition in Japan! In many cities, you'll find public baths (sento) and the famous onsen with their natural hot springs. These baths are often found in temple inns, ryokan (traditional Japanese inns), on some tours in yurari onsen (spa resorts), and sometimes in hotels as communal bathing areas next to private showers.

Here's how bathing in an onsen or sento works:

The baths are segregated by gender, and swimwear is not permitted. Your tour guide will explain the detailed etiquette to you on-site, but here are the most important points:

In the entrance area, you lock away your belongings and shoes. Towels are usually provided, or you can bring your own.

You go to the men's or women's section.

In an anteroom, you undress and place your clothes in a locker or basket. Leave your towel there.

With a small washcloth, you go into the bathing area. There, you wash yourself thoroughly (if you don't want to wash your hair, put it up – it mustn't go into the bathwater, so don't submerge your head).

Only after you've completely cleansed yourself should you enter the various pools of hot water and enjoy the soothing heat.

Important: Never take a washcloth (whether used or not) into the bathwater! Unfortunately, you sometimes see tourists doing this.

Further advice:

Please don't speak too loudly; the bath is a place for relaxation. The hot water can put a strain on your circulation – stay in the water only briefly at first, be careful when getting up, and rinse yourself with cooler water from time to time. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

At Yurari Onsen, which we visit on some trips, there are various pools, including an outdoor area with a view of Mount Fuji, as well as a sauna and steam rooms.

The etiquette of washing thoroughly before relaxing in the hot water also applies when staying with host families, in temple guesthouses, and in ryokan. It's especially common in families, as everyone wants to take a dip in the hot tub. To conserve water, everyone washes thoroughly before enjoying the bath.

Please note: Some onsen and sento may refuse entry to guests with tattoos.

Japan is ahead of the UK by 9 hours during British Winter Time (GMT) and 8 hours during British Summer Time (BST), as Japan does not observe daylight saving time. This means that when it is 9:00am in London during the winter, it is already 6:00pm in Tokyo; in the summer, 9:00am in London becomes 5:00pm in Tokyo.

The majority of hotels, train stations, restaurants and cafes in Japan have high-speed Wi-Fi that is very easy to connect to.

If you wish to stay connected at all times, we recommend that you purchase an eSIM before travelling, which is very easy to add to your mobile phone. You can also purchased a travel SIM card upon arrival in Japan (your guide will be there to help you) or subscribe to a data roaming plan with your current mobile provider.

We will use public transport such as trains, subways or buses, which are super convenient in Japan and offer excellent connections throughout the country.

We will also take the Shinkansen, the Japanese high-speed train, the second fastest in the world. To fully enjoy Mount Fuji we use a private bus.

Try to adapt as much as possible to Japanese culture and society:

• On an escalator: stand on the left if you want to wait, and move to the right if you want to go up or down quickly.
• Don't litter. The streets are super clean because there's a great respect for public space and everyone is responsible for their own waste.
• If you see an elderly lady in a kimono, young children in school uniform or a sumo wrestler on the subway, remember to ask before taking a picture.
• Japanese streets are quiet, especially in quieter areas like Takayama or the old streets of Kyoto. It's best not to shout or speak too loudly.
• Respect the signs in the subway and train which ask not to talk on the phone (the Japanese often take a nap there, and we wouldn't want to disturb them!).

This is not recommended! It's not customary to tip drivers, waiters, or porters at hotels, and you might even make them uncomfortable, as they will likely try to return the money you left. Taxes are already included in the bill, whether in bars or restaurants. You can tip your tour guide if you wish.

However, many visitors to Japan are surprised when they go out to eat or drink and receive a dish they didn't order. This dish is called "otoshi." It's an indirect service charge for bars and establishments that serve alcohol, similar to the "coperto" in Italy.

During our trip, you'll spend a night with a Japanese host family. This authentic experience offers you a private evening with the family (private room, but shared bathroom and toilet) as well as a morning with the family.

A few words of English, exchanging photos, and above all, the help of digital translators will allow you to communicate and get to know your hosts.

The placement of travelers with Japanese families (generally 2 to 4 participants per family) is arranged by our local contact. It depends on the families' capacity, their availability, and dietary compatibility. Therefore, we cannot inform you in advance which family will host you.

Your English-speaking guide will meet you at the airport upon your arrival in Japan and will also take you back to the airport on the last day of your trip. We want you to discover as many places as possible during your stay.

But thanks to the country's excellent safety conditions and everyone's different preferences, we also want to give you some free time to explore certain aspects of Japanese life on your own. You can choose one of the options we suggest, or ask your guide for advice.

For meals included in the itinerary, we are pleased to offer both standard (i.e., including meat and dairy) and vegetarian options. Travellers can select one of these two options when completing their personal information. For logistical reasons, travellers should note that we are unable to accommodate other dietary restrictions or preferences (e.g., vegan and gluten-free). Of course, travellers will be able to choose their preferred options for meals not included in the itinerary.

Your guide is your first escalation point and can usually assist in the majority of circumstances but if you need to escalate an issue that your guide cannot assist with, we offer 24/7 support via phone and email; emergency contact information will be provided in your travel documents.

Yes, all our group tours are led by experienced, English-speaking guides or tour conductors who are passionate about sharing their local knowledge.

Occasionally, some planned properties may be unavailable. In such cases, we replace them with hotels of the same category.

Some hotels are simple, others more upscale – this balance is intentional to provide an authentic insight into the range of local accommodation.

You’ll have 24/7 support from your guide and our local team throughout your journey. We also provide emergency contact numbers for added peace of mind.

Sustainability is at the core of our philosophy. We partner with local communities, support fair wages, minimize environmental impact, and contribute to social projects through our V Social Foundation.

Oui, il suffit de vous adresser à votre conseiller pour connaître les conditions. Le montant de la réduction dépend de la date de départ et de la compagnie aérienne prévue. Veuillez noter que nous bénéficions de tarifs négociés et donc la réduction n'est pas toujours équivalente au prix public.

International flights are not typically included in the tour price. This gives you the flexibility to choose the airline, cabin class and departure airport that best suits your plans.

When you enquire or book with us, we'll proactively recommend the best flight options for your chosen tour, including suitable routes, airlines and departures from both London and regional UK airports where available. Most travellers choose to reserve their place on the tour first and then book their flights with our guidance.

Our aim is to make arranging your journey as straightforward as possible, so you can focus on looking forward to your adventure rather than worrying about the logistics.

Your guide is your first escalation point and can usually assist in the majority of circumstances but if you need to escalate an issue that your guide cannot assist with, we offer 24/7 support via phone and email; emergency contact information will be provided in your travel documents.

We offer a range from easy-paced cultural trips to more active adventures. Please review the trip information or ask us if you have concerns about fitness requirements.

Your safety is of utmost importance to us. As you are traveling without a tour guide or one of our company's representatives, you will have to alert local services directly in case of emergencies. Therefore, please keep in mind the following advice before your journey with us:

• Have a list of possible emergency phone numbers at the destination (e.g. local hospitals, consulate or embassy).

• Always carry our emergency phone number with you (which you can find in your travel documents).

• In addition, carry the emergency number of your travel health insurance.

• Finally, make sure to review and understand the luggage checklist (e.g. take sufficient medication with you, tips for your first-aid kit, keep a copy of your passport, etc.), which you received as part of your travel documents.

You’ll have 24/7 support from your guide and our local team throughout your journey. We also provide emergency contact numbers for added peace of mind.

Your trip will be protected by the DRSF, which is a legally compliant form of protection similar in nature to ABTA protection, meaning it does not cover flights.

DRSF stands for Deutscher Reisesicherungsfonds (German Travel Security Fund). As a Ventura TRAVEL customer, your payments are protected by DRSF, ensuring your money is safe and you are covered in the unlikely event of insolvency. You will receive a security certificate with your booking for your peace of mind.

DRSF protection is sufficient under the 2018 UK Package Travel Regulations and has been reviewed and confirmed by our UK legal representatives.

Please note, our team will happily advise you on recommended routes, timings and airlines to make your entire holiday flow as seamlessly as possible.

International flights are not typically included in the tour price. This gives you the flexibility to choose the airline, cabin class and departure airport that best suits your plans.

When you enquire or book with us, we'll proactively recommend the best flight options for your chosen tour, including suitable routes, airlines and departures from both London and regional UK airports where available. Most travellers choose to reserve their place on the tour first and then book their flights with our guidance.

Our aim is to make arranging your journey as straightforward as possible, so you can focus on looking forward to your adventure rather than worrying about the logistics.

Our cancellation and refund policies are clearly outlined during booking; We offer flexible terms, but details may vary by trip. Please refer to the specific trip page or contact us for more information. You can also find a link to our terms here.

Your guide is your first escalation point and can usually assist in the majority of circumstances but if you need to escalate an issue that your guide cannot assist with, we offer 24/7 support via phone and email; emergency contact information will be provided in your travel documents.

Travel insurance is not included in our pricing but is strongly recommended.

We are committed to ensuring the best possible experience for our travellers. Some minor itinerary details may change before or during the trip for reasons beyond our control. These changes may be due to, among other things, limited availability from a service provider or government-imposed measures. We will strive at all times to minimise the impact of these changes and proactively inform our travellers.

Ventura Travel offers small-group, expert-led journeys focused on authentic, sustainable experiences. Our tours go beyond mass tourism, supporting local communities and providing unique, in-depth cultural encounters.

Japan is ahead of the UK by 9 hours during British Winter Time (GMT) and 8 hours during British Summer Time (BST), as Japan does not observe daylight saving time. This means that when it is 9:00am in London during the winter, it is already 6:00pm in Tokyo; in the summer, 9:00am in London becomes 5:00pm in Tokyo.

Absolutely! Many of our guests travel solo. We offer the option to share a room with another solo traveller or book a single room for an additional fee.

Yes, on some trips. Where available, we offer options to extend your stay or add pre- and post-tour nights. Let us know your preferences and we’ll help arrange additional services where possible.

No. While we sell tours in multiple countries (i.e. Germany, France, United Kingdom, etc), we do not combine guests from those countries into a single departure. However, if, for instance, a German customer were to purchase from one of our UK sites (i.e. www.africaventura.co.uk as opposed to www.africaventura.de), nothing would stop them from doing so but the tour would be conducted in English.

We intentionally keep our groups small to ensure a more personal and immersive experience. The vast majority of our tours have a maximum limit of 12 and on average our tours have around 9 travellers. However, a very small number of our trips allow up to 16 travellers.

Our tour prices typically include accommodation, most meals, guided activities, entrance fees, and ground transportation. Specific inclusions are listed on each trip page.

We select comfortable, well-located hotels and guesthouses that reflect the local character. Accommodation standards and details are listed on each trip page.

You can find information regarding vaccines here