Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Independent Travel Tours?
   We are a tour agency that provides self driving tours to California. We plan great tours, take care of all the reservations, provide extensive local knowledge and provide full trip support.
   
   
2. Does ITT offer guided bus tours?
   Independent Travel Tours offers self-driving tours only. We cater to clients that want to travel with their family or friends in small groups and enjoy exploring new areas on a flexible schedule.
   
   
3. Is the Hertz “never lost” navigation system hard to use?
   Hertz designed their system for their rental car customers so it is very user friendly. In our tours you only have to input your next destination. We provide you with all the other information you will need on your tour.
   
   
4. How many people can travel on a tour?
   We can accommodate any number of people. For larger groups you most likely will need additional vehicles. Our staff can help you pick the right vehicles for your tour.
   
   
5. What are Premium, Bed & Breakfast, and Luxury Accommodations?
   We pride ourselves on providing the best accommodations possible at each destination. Premium rooms are large and attractive and provide all the amenities you would expect at a superior hotel. Luxury accommodations are suited for the traveler who requires the best accommodations possible. These rooms are spacious and have the best views, including many luxury amenities. Bed & Breakfast are usually unique smaller properties that often are in historic older buildings. Rooms vary but are usually spacious and always have their own bathroom. In California many B & B’s are in Victorian Homes built in the 1800’s.
   
   
6. What kind of accommodations do you  book?  
   We book all our rooms as  non-smoking with a king size bed.   If this is not available we sometimes book queen size beds.   If you would like a different  type of room (ex. Two beds or smoking) please let us know and we will book it  for you.
   
   
7. What kind of vehicle will be on our tour?
   The prices on our tour include a full size vehicle that can easily seat four adults. These vehicles always have four doors and a large trunk. An example of a standard vehicle is a Ford Five Hundred or Toyota Camry. We encourage you to move up to a Luxury vehicle on your tour. For approximately $50-$100 more per person you can enjoy the beauty and comfort of a truly fine automobile.
   
   
8. What other vehicles can I use on the  tour?  
   There are lots of  choices.  Some examples of standard  vehicles would be a Ford Mustang Convertible, a Ford Expedition SUV, and the  Hyundai Entourage Mini Van.  For  Luxury  vehicles some examples would be the Audi A6 Sedan or the Volvo S80 sedan, the  Audi A4 Convertible, and the Cadillac Escalade SUV.
   
   
9. What is included in the tour price?
   For one price you get a fully planned self driving tour of California for your entire group. This includes the vehicle, the “never lost” navigation system, all maps and guides, hotel reservations, meals per the tour, paid attractions in the tour, our famous “top ten” attractions and shopping in each destination, our famous “top ten” list of restaurants in each destination and full trip support.
   
   
10. What is not included in the tour?
    Gas, meals not included in tour, tips, airline reservations, paid attractions not listed in the tour, country entry or departure fees, beverages, and taxes.
    
    
11. Can your tours be enjoyed by all age groups?
    Yes! You only need to have at least one driver that is 21 or older with a valid driver’s license, and credit card from their country of origin.
    
    
12. How do I obtain the cost of a tour for the dates I want?
    Just fill out the “Book a Tour” page and email it to us. One of our tour consultants will get back to you with the total cost of your personalized tour for you and your friends or family. If you want to reserve the tour you would need to make a $250 per person deposit.
    
    
13. How long will a typical drive to a new destination be?
    We have tried to plan all our tours so that there is less than four hours driving when going to a new destination; there are a couple of exceptions to this but the drives are beautiful! Most of our tours have two nights at each destination so you can relax and do lots of exploring.
    
    
14. What should I pack?
    Northern California is famous for its great weather, and this is true most of the time. Our recommendation is you pack as lightly as possible and make sure you have a sweatshirt or light coat for cool evenings in the summertime. If traveling in the winter bring a warm coat. Casual wear is appropriate everywhere you will be on our tours.
    
    
15. What is the weather like?
    Northern California has a Mediterranean climate of long dry summers and wet winters. San Francisco is famous for its cool weather in the summer and at the same time the inland valleys can be over 100 degrees! The chart below will give you the temperatures and rainfall in San Francisco, Monterey and Los Angeles.
    
    
    

    Temperature (hi/lo) and Rainfall (inches)

    	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
    San Francisco
    temp	56/42	59/45	61/46	64/47	67/50	70/53	72/54	72/55	74/55	70/52	62/47	56/43
    rainfall	4.4	3.2	3.1	1.4	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.2	1.2	2.9	3.1
    Monterey
    temp	61/40	63/42	64/43	66/45	68/49	70/52	71/54	72/55	75/54	73/50	67/44	61/40
    rainfall	4.4	2.81	3.16	1.72	0.4	0.2	0.08	0.12	0.32	0.86	2.65	2.97
    Los Angeles
    temp	67/42	68/44	70/46	73/49	76/52	81/56	89/61	89/61	87/59	81/54	74/47	68/43
    rainfall	2.8	2.6	2.0	1.0	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.3	0.3	1.5	1.6

    
    
    
16. Are there high and low seasons?
    Generally July and August are the busiest times of the year. The wine country is also very busy on weekends and in the fall.
    
    
17. Do you have drivers available so that we do not have to drive ourselves?
    On a very limited basis we have qualified drivers available, the cost is about $400 per day for this service. Please contact us if you are interested in this service.
    
    
18. What are the identification and entry requirements?
    If you are traveling from another country you will need a valid Passport. You should check with your appropriate consulate for information on all necessary documents required.
    
    
19. How are the roads?
    California has one of the best road systems in the world!
    
    
20. Do you get lower rates on Hotels, attractions and vehicles?
    We negotiate the lowest rates possible with Hertz, hotels and attractions. We then pass these savings on to you in the tour price.
    
    
21. Can we add extra days or activities?
    Yes! Just let us know what you want to add.
    
    
22. Is the price different if I am traveling alone?
    Yes, all our trips are priced for two people. We can provide you with the cost of a one person tour.
    
    
23. Is the price different if our group is  more than two people?  
    Yes,  generally the price of the tour decreases for each additional person.  This varies due to the type of  accommodations and vehicle you pick for your tour.  
    
    
24. Can I drive my own car?
    Yes, we can provide you a tour without a rental vehicle.
    
    
25. Can ITT book my flights?
    We are not a travel agent but can provide this service for a nominal fee with a travel agency for you.
    
    
26. Do you have a catalogue you can mail me?
    At this time we do not have a catalogue available. To reduce costs we have decided to provide all information via your computer or by phone.
    
    
27. How far ahead do I need to book my tour?
    Our recommendation is to book your tour as far ahead as possible. Many of the areas we go to are very special and have limited accommodations. If possible, you should try to book your tour at least 3 to 6 months in advance or more. During the slower seasons 3 months or less should be adequate.
    
    
28. Where do the trips start?
    All our trips start in San Francisco. If you would like to start your tour in a different city please let us know the city and we change the tour accordingly.
    
    
29. Will there be other people on my tour?
    All our tours are designed around you and your friends or family. The only time you may be joined with others is on the paid activities you have planned on your tour.