Rick Steves Home > 2009 Tours > Tour Planning Essentials

Our Tour Hotels & Rooming Policies

Often quaint (sometimes creaky), and full of personality, our hotels are run by Europeans who are also our friends. "Shared facilities" have all but disappeared from European hotels, so in 2009 there's about a 98% chance your room will include a private bath. However, there will still be stairs — hundreds of them. Many of our hotels don't have elevators...one more reason to pack light and be in good shape.

If you're traveling solo, you won't pay the mandatory "single supplement" required by other tour companies. Instead, you'll share a room with another tour member of the same gender. (If you'd prefer to sleep alone, we offer a limited number of optional single supplements on all 2009 tours for an additional fee (currently ranging from $325 to $925). Current 2009 tour and single supplement prices are available on our website. )

  • Read what our tour members are saying about our hotels.
Single Supplements for Solo Travelers

We room solo travelers (of the same gender) in a room together, usually in pairs and on rare occasions in triple bedded rooms. We rotate roommates throughout the tour when there are multiple solo travelers and your guide will do his or her best to make the room assignments as fair as possible. In 2009, we offer optional, limited, extra-cost single supplements on each of our tours if you would prefer a private room of your own. Please be advised that European single-bed rooms are often smaller and more basic than standard double or two-bed rooms. Prices currently range from an additional $325 – $925 depending upon the specific itinerary you select; refer to www.ricksteves.com for the most up to date tour and single supplement prices. If you would like to request a single room on one of our 2009 itineraries, please indicate that preference with your tour reservation. You can pay your single supplement with a credit or debit card on the Web. If you prefer to mail your tour and single supplement request, please send your check or money order to us with the 2009 tour application to:
Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door
Attention: Tour Department
P.O. Box 2009
Edmonds, WA 98020

If a single room is not available, we will contact you immediately. In order to maintain our travel philosophy of staying in small, family-owned, centrally located hotels, we are only able to offer a limited number of single supplements on each of our 2009 tours. 

Non-smoking Rooms

Many European hotels classify "no smoking" rooms as a room that you are not smoking in. This means the previous guest may have smoked in your room and there is an ashtray provided. While this has not been a problem for most of our travelers, those with heightened sensitivity to cigarette smoke should know that we cannot guarantee a smoke free room.

We have a "no smoking" policy on our tours. While we do sometimes have smokers join our tours, they are not allowed to smoke at group events, on the bus or in their room if they are sharing a hotel room with another tour member.

Other Rooming Requests

Couples: Two people traveling together as a couple will be roomed together with one bed (usually a double bed). If you prefer separate beds you may request them, but due to a limited number of twin-bedded rooms, priority is given to single travelers rooming together.

Two friends traveling together: Two friends or siblings traveling together will be roomed together with two beds in a twin room.

Families: If you are traveling together with more than one family member, we will do our best to accommodate your rooming requests. Please contact the Tour Department prior to booking your tour to review any special rooming requests such a triple rooms. Email tour@ricksteves.com or call (425) 608-4217

Special circumstances: If you have any special needs or requests regarding tour hotel rooms, please contact the Tour Department prior to booking your tour. Email tour@ricksteves.com or call (425) 608-4217