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FAQs for Parents and Grandparents

Planning and Booking a Trip

Family Questions

Before Departure

While on Tour

Planning and Booking a Trip

How do we start planning a trip? What are the steps involved?

Most importantly, start now! Fully customized trips can take time to organize, and our time is also unfortunately limited. Our step-by-step guide explains the whole process.

What does Terrestra need to create a custom vacation for our family or group?

For everyone, we need to know the composition of your group (numbers and ages) and your vacation preferences and needs (sightseeing musts, hotels, nannies, and so on). Our Group Information Form takes you through this all step by step.

Then it depends on your group and the type of vacation you want:

  • If you are a family wanting to explore their family history in an ancestral region, then we need as many names and genealogical details of ancestors from the region as possible (dates/places of birth, death, marriage, etc), as well as whatever names of ancestral villages you have. With this information, we can create events to visit and get to know these villages and other sites of family relevance, like ancestral homes, churches, and cemeteries. Sometimes we may even be able to organize meetings with distant relatives or people who knew your family. Not everything you send us will be useful, so the more you send, the more useful resources we will have to work with.
  • If your family is just interested in a relaxing and enriching vacation in their ancestral lands, then just a name or two of an ancestral villages, or at least the name of the general area, would be sufficient.
  • If you’re a group of unrelated individuals belonging to a heritage or genealogical society, or a group of families with common heritage, then we need to know your common ancestral region and your interests – is it more cultural, more fun, more family-oriented?
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What is the difference between a family trip and a private group trip?

A family trip is created for members of a single family who want to explore their ancestral region together as a family. We will personalize the family history experiences and events on trip according to that family's history in the region. In addition to general cultural events, visits to ancestral village, relevant churches, cemeteries or archives are possible, as well as meetings with old family friends or even distant relatives. A family reunion in the region is one particularly exciting possibility for this type of trip.

A private group trip is for a group of unrelated individuals or families with common origins, who wish to explore their ancestral region or do research there as a group. Regionally-based genealogical or heritage society commonly have us create these trips for their members - since we specialise in creating fun multigenerational family vacations, members are also invited to bring their families along to enjoy a vacation. Multigenerational groups composed of two or more unrelated families, who know each other from the U.S and have roots in the same region, also commission these trips. These itineraries are customised to focus on the common cultural heritage of the group, rather than specific family histories.

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Who can come on a Terrestra family trip?

Anybody you think appropriate – it is your private trip and our definition of family is all-inclusive, so grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, cousins, grandchildren, all are welcome. Bringing the whole family together is one of the main attractions of these trips. Children of any age are welcome, but we find that those ages 7 to 17 especially enjoy these trips.

The unique attraction of a private family trip is that it is customised around your family history in the region - but this may not be of interest to someone outside your family. But if you have a group of friends, or another family, with an ancestral region in common, we can put together a private group trip based on your common cultural heritage rather than your specific family history (More...).

Can our family just have a fun vacation in our ancestral region without getting into the genealogical stuff?

Definitely! As long as your vacation involves an ancestral region and your family, then you’re talking to the right people – we can create a great family vacation that fits all your desires and without any family history activities. Fill out our Group Information Form and mention these preferences - we'll call you right back to discuss exactly what you are interested in.

What do we get if we pay you to create the itinerary but then don't do the trip?

Whether you approve the proposal and take the trip or not, you will receive a package with all family information we have uncovered in your region as we researched your trip: genealogical data, photos, videos, local contacts, relevent archives and other resources. This way your investment has a return, whatever you decide to do.

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How far ahead should we book our tour?

If your family history data is adequate for our planning purposes, two to four months should be ok. If more genealogical research is necessary to fill it out, then five to seven months is more realistic. Most of our clients make their first inquiry six or seven months in advance. Since our schedule also fills up, the early you contact us, the more likely we can accommodate your date preference.

What months do you offer tours and when do you recommend we go?

We run trips from the beginning of March until the end of November. Under special circumstances, we might be available in the winter months too. But in terms of weather, particularly in Northern Europe, winter is not the best time to come. Southern Italy is most pleasant in April/May and September/October. June can also be wonderful, if a little hot. July and August are fine if you don't mind the heat or plan to relax at the beach or pool! Northern Europe is best from June to early October. April/May and November can also be beautiful, but the chances of rain are higher.

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I am in charge of planning a family reunion. Can you help me?

Most certainly! A family reunion is the perfect way for families to reconnect, explore their heritage and learn about their family history together. Read our Ideas for Family Trips and then fill out the Group Information Form, mentioning this idea. Once we review your information, we will call you right back to discuss the idea. After that, you can sit back and relax, and we’ll take care of the details.

What is included in the price?

Each trip's specific features will be outlined in the tour proposal we send you for approval. Generally speaking, our pricing philosophy is all-inclusive and explicit - there will be no hidden costs. Terrestra tours typically include:

  • All our advance planning costs (travel to ancestral region, accommodations, research costs, materials, everything);
  • All information, photos, and contacts created or uncovered during our advance research trip or during your vacation itself;
  • First-class, or at minimum, the best-available hotel accommodations;
  • All breakfasts and most all lunches and dinners (without alcoholic drinks), as per your itinerary;
  • Luxury minivan or car transportation (we don’t use motor coaches);
  • The services of a regionally and genealogically experienced tour leader;
  • Any requested local genealogist services or step-in guides on location;
  • Babysitters, nannies, kids’ supervisors, as per your itinerary;
  • Snacks, refreshments and children games during minivan transfers;
  • All entrance, admission and other costs associated with events included in the itinerary;
  • All specialized equipment for activities (bicycles, walking sticks, maps, etc) as per your itinerary;
  • Pre-departure information package;
  • Airport/hotel transfers for all group departures/arrivals;
  • Hotel taxes, baggage handling; and tips (except for Tour guide).
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Family Questions

Is a Terrestra roots vacation right for my family?

This isn’t easy to answer without knowing your family’s interests and needs, but if you’ve gotten this far, it probably is – the main thing is that you’re interested in a family vacation that is based on your family history and/or the culture in your ancestral land. Since our trips are fully customised according to each group's needs, everything else can be worked out. Don't worry about the itinerary fitting the various needs of group members – we create each one from scratch to exactly fit the group's preferences. Our trips are a careful balance of group activities and free-time opportunities that allow families to spend time together and have individual independent time.

Are adjoining rooms available for parents and kids? Can our children sleep in the room with us?

Almost always, though European hotel rooms rarely have private-access doors between them. That is, they are not connecting; they are adjoining. Rooms are usually limited to three persons. In some hotels, extra beds or quad accommodations are not permitted.

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I’m not sure I want to take care of a child full time on my vacation…

We do understand that looking after kids all day would hardly be a vacation. So put your mind at rest…. Firstly, we create each day’s plan with a careful balance of activity and downtime that allows kids and adults alike the opportunity to be busy and to rest. A “Time Together—Time Apart” structure (see below) allows you and your kids a respite from each other. During the time apart (usually in the afternoons), your kids will be entertained and supervised by the trip’s second guide, the chaperone – while you are off enjoying another activity with the adults in the group. Of course, you can spend all the time you want with them, if that’s your priority, but you’ll have the option.

Secondly, our trips are all fully customised, so if you have special needs for very small children, we can set up these arrangements in advance – qualified nannies are usually available, as long as we know in advance.

What is "Time Together—Time Apart"?

You love your children and they love you, but we all need a little space from each other occasionally. By setting up each day with some “Time Together” and some “Time Apart”, you’ll be able to enjoy being with your kids and enjoy doing your own vacation thing – and the same goes for them!

“Time Together” is both the group time we schedule for the mornings, usually around a lighter, more accessible family history or cultural activity, and the free time set aside each day for families to enjoy independently. “Time Apart” allows both adults and kids to have a little space from each other, usually in the afternoon. In addition, each tour typically has one evening set aside where adults are apart and free to do whatever they please, while the kids are having fun with their Terrestra guides, swimming, enjoying pizza, or participating in a kids-only activity. Finally, it often happens on trip that kids naturally gravitate to each other at meals, on walks, in the vans, which allows adults some more Time Apart.

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Before departure

What clothes and supplies do we need to bring?

That will depend on where and when you’re traveling - once you've made a reservation, we will provide a list to help you decide what to pack and what to leave behind. Generally, we advise guests to travel light. But you will want to pack carefully for your kids (see Planning for Family Travel) and, if you’re planning on doing family history research, bring along the supplies you need for that (see Preparing for Genealogical Travel). You don’t need to bring any specialized equipment (such as kayaks, bikes or snorkel gear) for activities; we have that covered.

How much money should we bring?

How much money you bring is really up to you. Only you know your budget for nonessential items, such as gifts or local crafts and art. However, you should know that all gratuities (tips) and almost all of the meals are included in the price of your tour. You should not have to worry about carrying large amounts of foreign currency or having to find money for a late-afternoon snack, we have it covered.

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What about shopping?

Of course you will have opportunities to shop for authentic local crafts or foodstuffs. We carefully avoid — forgive us — tacky tourist stores, but in most ancestral regions there are places where you can buy some really special things. However, unless you specify it upfront in the planning of your tour, your tour will not be organized around shopping experiences, and in some destinations, it also may not be practical.

What is the purpose behind the reading list?

Along with a packing list, we will send you a list of reading resources based on your ancestral region that will make your trip more interesting. If you’ve got kids coming along, we’ll also try to find something interesting to get them excited about coming. Although reading before you leave is not essential, some advance reading can prepare you for what you will see and do and make your adventure even more meaningful.

What will we receive from you before departure?

Several weeks before a tour departs, each household in your group will receive a Advance Information Package with the following pre-trip information:

  • Day-by-day itinerary with all time-together, time-apart activities and alternatives listed;
  • Age-appropriate reading lists and travel information;
  • Suggestions on clothing, health, safety and tipping;
  • Names, addresses and phone numbers of the tour's hotels;
  • Guide and Chaperone's names and contact details.

We hope you will use these materials to talk about the trip with your family – the pre-departure anticipation can be as enjoyable as the trip itself!

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While on Tour

Are all meals are included in the price of the trip?

Since we spend considerable time scouting out your trip in advance, we like to include almost all the meals in the price of your trip – this way we (and you) can be sure you’ll be eating at the best possible places. One dinner and one lunch are typically on your own (unpaid), to allow you some independence and freedom of movement during the week – having to find your own restaurant and order on your own is also a real cultural adventure! In any case, the included meals are noted in the Tour Proposal and Final Itinerary we send you before you travel.

What kind of foods will we eat?

Trying, or even making the local food is fun and a big part of the culture of each ancestral region, and so we like to include as many culturally specific foods and meals as we can - so long as they are always of the highest quality. Kids can be less adventurous, so we’ll also request kid-friendly alternatives at each meal. In all cases, we include a healthy mix of fresh foods. If you have specific dietary needs please let us know and we’ll set up arrangements in advance.

What kind of snacks are there? Should we bring our own?

Especially with kids onboard, we keep a healthy mix of snacks available during transfers and on walks. These are often locally produced and are part of the fun of being abroad.

Will we meet locals?

Absolutely! Locals are the most vital component of your ancestral culture and we make every effort to get as many locals involved as possible – and not just local town guides or genealogists, but ordinary villagers and townsfolk, someone’s Grandma to show us how to make the local pasta, or the village mayor to discuss local politics over a coffee in the piazza. We want you to see what it's really like to live in each destination versus being part of a mass-market tourist experience. And we’ll always be around to help with simultaneous translations.

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How to plan a Terrestra Family Heritage Tour

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