Once that’s done you’ll be able to experience the KnittingTours website perfectly.
How do I book a tour?
Easily is the answer! Call us on our Freephone numbers below, email us at info@knittingtours.com or use the Quick Enquiry link on the website.
USA and Canada Toll Free: 800 913 1135
UK Toll Free: 800 088 5516
Australia Toll Free: 1800 508 558
Which tour should I choose?
You may have an idea of which of our tours look most appealing to you and have more questions, or you may not know where to start. Either way our dedicated team of travel consultants are here to help you on your way to your ideal knitting experience.
What kind of knitting classes are there?
The main knitting workshops run for a minimum of half a day, although in addition, there will be shorter classes or demonstrations during your tour. Classes vary in subject from tour to tour as laid out in the itinerary. We provide all the materials; you just bring your needles! Your detailed itinerary will be sent in the weeks leading up to your tour with information on the needles for each class.
Can non-knitters take the tours?
They can indeed! There is a £200/€200 discount for non-knitters so you can bring a spouse, family member or friend for company. They can participate in all activities apart from the knitting workshops and we have lots to keep them occupied during those!
How good do you have to be at knitting to come in a tour? I’m a beginner knitter, can I come on a tour?
As long as you are comfortable with casting on, binding off and making a knit stitch, you’re good enough! The workshops taught during the tours are about learning traditional ways and techniques or more contemporary and trendy adaptations, and the classes are designed to de easily adaptable to each participant’s level in the tour, so that everyone from advanced to beginner has an interesting and pleasant experience!
What does the cost of a tour include?
Transfers on Arrival and Departure* (see Transfers section)
Sightseeing as per itinerary in a luxury coach with an experienced driver and accredited guide, entrance fees included if applicable.
Hotel accommodation with en suite bed and breakfast. (With the exception of Inis Oirr, Aran Islands where B&BS are utilised for the full rural, traditional experience).
All lunches and dinners detailed in the tour itinerary.
All activities and classes including materials as detailed in the tour itinerary.
24/7 helpline for the duration of your tour.
E-Itinerary with detailed travel information and daily itinerary
Are flights included?
Flights are not included.
Should I have Travel Insurance?
There is only one answer to this question: YES. The additional cost involved with travel insurance is well worth the peace of mind provided. There are different types, so take time to consider what is most appropriate for you, especially if you or close family members have ongoing health concerns. Your credit card, personal insurance company or airline may offer trip insurance at a reasonable rate. Our travel consultants can also recommend our preferred insurer to you. Be sure to review insurance policies as to whether the coverage is for trip “interruption” or trip “cancellation.” “Cancel for Any Reason” would be the best option. We also recommend you closely review the criteria for refunds and whether that refund is 100% or a smaller/larger percentage of trip costs. Ask questions of your provider. It is always better to review the offered coverage prior to the trip rather than to be surprised later.
How many people are on each tour?
Our scheduled knitting tours usually start at 10 knitters and we cap our tours at 25 knitters. This is to give you the time and attention of your instructors and space and comfort for travel.
I have a young child, can I bring them with me on my tour?
Our knitting tours are not suitable for children under the age of eighteen. This is due to the nature of activities and classes on the knitting tour and the expectations of other tour participants.
What will my hotel be like?
Our 4 star city centre hotels in Edinburgh, Belfast or Dublin are just that, with amenities within walking distance. The remaining hotels are three or four star and vary from historic to contemporary, but all warm and welcoming. Our island hotels, be it Shetland or the Aran Islands, have more of a traditional feel, however this adds to the charm of the location and helps you become a part of the local community.
What is my ferry like?
For our Shetland tours, the Northlink Ferry from Aberdeen is an overnight sailing on-board a mainline ferry. This means you have your very own cabin, dinner, and breakfast on the ferry. There are bars and restaurants, a cinema, shops and a premium lounge as well.
For our short mainland to the Aran Islands ferries, these are good size luxury vessels with great views and tea, coffee, snacks and a bar on-board.
What kind of beds are in each location?
Twin Rooms will be either two single beds or a double and single bed.
Double Rooms will contain a double bed, often Queen sized but this can vary.
Single Rooms are often a double bed for single occupancy, although not guaranteed.
Triple rooms are not readily available at every hotel and are often a double a single bed. Our recommendation is to opt for a twin and single room for three people travelling.
I am a solo traveller, what can I expect?
Many of our knitters are solo travellers who return repeatedly! We look after you from the moment you land until you say goodbye. We will be meeting you at the airport and bringing you to your hotel for check in. Our guides will ensure you become a part of the group very quickly and our smaller, more personal group size means you will begin to make friends straight away.
What happens when I arrive at the airport?
*We will provide a transfer on arrival on the day the tour begins, as long as you land before 10:30am as our representatives need to be available to begin the tour promptly. Of course, we understand you may be delayed, so as long as you advise us of a flight delay we will do our best to accommodate you. We recommend you opt for an early flight or a pre-night package to be sure.
If you have one of our pre-night packages, you can land at any time.
You will be met by one of our chauffeur drivers, or our coach driver/guide, depending on your day and time of arrival. They will meet you in the arrivals hall and escort you to your transfer vehicle. It is important you notify us of any last minute changes or delays to travel so we can ensure you are greeted on time.
For Dublin, meet your driver in arrivals at the big yellow sculpture in Terminal 2. It is just a very short walk along a covered pedestrian way from Terminal 1. Your driver will have a Knittingtours.com sign.
For Edinburgh, meet your driver in arrivals. They will be waiting for you through the doors after customs clearance and holding a Knittingtours.com sign. If you cannot see your driver, make your way to Costa coffee and wait.
Who is my tour manager/guide?
We personally select our guides and they have worked with us on a number of tours. They are either an Approved Tour Guide of Ireland or a Blue Badge guide of the Scottish Tour Guides Association.
What is my coach like?
All our coaches are high end and operated by major Irish and Scottish coach companies and their drivers. They are air-conditioned and they will be larger than the group size to allow for spacing and comfort. While some coaches will have on-board toilets, these are not guaranteed and for emergency use only. Don’t worry, your guide will have rest stops along the way.
When it comes to seating, front seats cannot be reserved. Your tour guide will rotate the front seat allocations to be fair to all.
What currency do I use and what about tipping?
The currency in Ireland is the Euro and in Scotland/Shetland it is British Pounds Sterling. Foreign Currency can be changed at Airport Foreign Exchange Bureaux, although some difficulty may be experienced with $100 bills. 100 pound notes or Euro notes (bills) may also be difficult to use so we suggest that if you are bringing pounds sterling and Euros, they should be in 50’s. During your tour, you will be able to obtain cash via the many ATM’s using your Visa or Mastercard debit cards, but we suggest you check with your issuing bank before you leave home that yours are acceptable & useable in Scotland and Ireland.
The currency in Northern Ireland is Sterling although most shops, restaurants and bars will accept Euro. However they usually apply a poor rate of exchange.
Credit Cards – Visa and MasterCard are accepted in most shops, at ATMs and hotels and restaurants. Pubs will normally take credit cards for payment. There may be additional charges for using your credit cards overseas. Amex is not as readily accepted due to the fees levied to both the card holder and person being paid.
Tips – This is a very personal area and difficult to give a definitive answer as they are voluntary. Tips are based on the service received and vary from person to person. As a rough guide, in restaurants if you feel you have had good service, a tip in the region of 15% of the bill would be well received by your server. Your driver and Tour Manager will, I am sure, have made your vacation memorable and as a rough guide, 7 – 10 Euros/GBP a day for the driver and 10-15 Euros/GBP a day for your Tour Manager should be considered. Please note that these figures are suggestions and do depend on how you evaluate the service received.
What electricity adaptor do I need?
It is important to note that the power supply in Scotland, Shetland, Ireland and Northern Ireland is quite different from the USA and that the plugs and sockets used are different from those in both the USA and the rest of Europe.
Plug adaptors do not change the electricity supplied to equipment, they simply allow it to be plugged into a different type of wall socket or outlet.
You will require an adaptor if the equipment you are using supports dual voltage and dual frequency. If it does then a plate on the equipment will state something like “120/240v, 50/60Hz”. Most laptop computer and battery chargers are dual voltage, so all you will need to use them with a different supply is a plug adaptor. Most hotels will have adaptors available, but to be sure you should bring your own.
Most hotels do have hairdryers in your room or you can obtain one from the front desk.
How much luggage should I bring?
We recommend one checked in item of baggage and one smaller carry on piece. Remember each airline has different maximum sizes so check before you travel. If your tour has you staying overnight on the Aran Islands, your main luggage will be stowed securely on the mainland and you will need an overnight bag, so your carry on case is ideal for this.
Will there be someone available to help with luggage?
We provide portage at almost every hotel, which covers the porting of your main piece of luggage from hotel reception to your room and back. While our coach drivers have lots of goodwill and will often help you unload and bring in cases, this is out of kindness and are not part of the service. We do require you to be able to carry your own luggage from the coach to reception as needs be.
It should also be noted that there is no porterage on the Aran Islands, however as you will only be taking an overnight bag here, it will be fine.
What is the weather like and what should I pack?
Spring and Fall months can have extreme variations in temperature from warm days to frosty ones with average temperatures of 43 to 53 degrees, with evenings quite cool indeed regardless. Summer months are more clement in temperature and can vary between 50 and 63 degrees, although hotter days can rise to around 75 degrees.
As many locations you are visiting are coastal or island based, there will be sea breezes, which will make the temperatures seem cooler. Heavy rain is always a distinct possibility on any day in Spring and Fall with showers more likely in summer months.
We recommend that you bring layers, including lighter clothing for warmer days and sweaters for cooler days and evenings. We also suggest you bring a windproof/waterproof jacket and sturdy walking shoes, as some of your visits will be open to the elements and may have uneven terrain.
Dining throughout the tour is casual/smart casual unless otherwise specified within your itinerary, including themed dining nights or restaurant meals.
Will there be a chance to do laundry on my tour?
Unless you are staying more than one night in a particular location, a laundry service will not be available. Where you are staying more than one night, please enquire on arrival, as service will be subject to your arrival time and availability within the hotel. Be sure to utilize on arrival to get your garments back on time.
Will there be an elevator in my hotel?
In some hotels, elevators may not be available to all floors and the use of stairs may be required. As you have confirmed you are able to climb stairs and have not notified us of any restricting personal circumstances, this should not be an issue.
Does my hotel have a pool?
Some of the hotels on your tour may have leisure facilities including swimming pools and or health suites and beauty rooms. You are welcome to use these facilities provided payment is made before departure. Use of these facilities must not affect group activities and timekeeping of your daily group schedule.
What meals do I have covered?
A full breakfast is served each morning unless otherwise stated. Additional meals are listed in your itinerary. Where lunch and dinner are included, additions such as minerals, alcoholic beverages and supplements are extra and should be paid for directly by you.
Allergies and Dietary requirements: Hotels and eateries have been informed of any allergies or dietary requirements you have notified us of prior to travel. While every effort is made to cater to your needs, it is ultimately your responsibility to check ingredients before you eat.
How fit do I need to be to join a tour? What if I have mobility or other health issues?
A certain amount of walking is inevitable on all our tours. You must be able to board the coach unaided and where tours include ferry transportation, you will need to be able to board the ferry by gangway or pontoon and be able to walk unaided at a reasonable pace from coach to hotel and coach to visitor attractions. It is not always possible for the coach to park directly outside an attraction or activity. If you do not wish to visit a particular attraction, you will not be able to stay on the coach. You must be able to climb stairs of more than 25 steps and be able to walk more than 1 mile unaided at a reasonable pace. The terrain at some attractions and locations may be rough, uneven, and not suitable for someone with mobility issues. Our drivers and guides cannot provide individualized help for walking, getting on and off motor coaches, ferries or other personal needs.
You are responsible for assessing whether a tour is suitable for you. If in doubt, you should consult your physician to confirm your fitness for travel and participation in any planned activities. We do not provide medical advice. It is your responsibility to assess the risks and requirements of each aspect of the tour based on your unique circumstances, limitations, fitness level, and medical requirements. If you feel you do require special attention, you must advise us at the time of booking.
Items such as Cpap machines for sleeping, fridges for medication and so on are fine if we are advised in advance and can put the necessary arrangements in place. For ferry travel and some hotels, please ensure you have a cooler bag for your medicines if required.
I have a dietary requirement – what happens?
For your safety, it is very important that we be advised of all dietary requirements, food allergies, textile allergies etc. in advance of travel, so that you are not presented with items which may cause an allergic reaction. Please note that we are not responsible if a hotel or other supplier neglects to exclude allergens once we have provided them with the information. In addition, it is your responsibility to check that items are suitable, or to ask for alternatives if necessary. While we will do our best, we cannot guarantee all food or allergen requests. We do of course; pass all information provided prior to travel to hotels, restaurants and your guide, who will assist you when it comes to dining if needed.
Vegans, Vegetarians, Pescetarians, Gluten Free, and Celiac etc. are catered for, as long as we have advance notice.
What if I become unwell on my tour?
In the unlikely event you become unwell during your tour, we are here to help you. Your first task is to notify your guide who may recommend you stay in your room if you believe you have something transmissible, including Covid. Your guide will arrange locally for a doctor if you require one or a hospital transfer if necessary. If the group are moving on and you need to recover, you can arrange with the hotel directly for additional nights or your guide will help you find alternative close by accommodation if this is not possible. You will be advised on transport and so on if the need arises. Any changes to the advertised tour will be payable by you, however we will provide all the necessary documentation for insurance claims. We can also assist in you re-joining your group once you are well.
All our tours follow the protocols and guidelines of either Ireland or Scotland and we defer to the individual policies of our hotels where necessary. We respect our knitters’ right to privacy and other rights accordingly and will not notify or discuss any illness, ailments or injuries with any member of your group or our suppliers without your prior consent.
I would like to stay longer: can you book any extra nights for me before/after the tour?
We offer one or two pre-night packages at an additional cost. This includes hotel accommodation in your first night hotel so you do not need to change rooms, airport transfers and a ‘Hop On Hop Off’ Voucher for sightseeing.
Post night stays are available at an additional charge on request.
Can I bring my own group?
Absolutely! Private knitting group tours are a wonderful chance to customise your own tour and gather together friends, a club, clients or your own customer database for a wonderful knitting experience at any of our destinations. Contact groups@knittingtours.com for more information or simply give us a call!
Can I change my tour date or location once I have booked?
Subject to availability and provided it falls outside of our cancellation policy, we can change your tour to a different date or location. The fee for this change is €250/£250 and there may be an additional amount to pay depending on the tour.
What if I want to leave the tour early?
In the event you wish to cut short your tour, you will be responsible for your own itinerary, accommodation, transfers and luggage. As this is a package tour, we are unable to refund or book alternative accommodations etc. in any part if you decide not to complete the tour.
What if I need to cancel my tour?
Cancellation of your booking must be in writing or by email to us.
If the reason for your cancellation is covered under your insurance policy, you may be able to make a claim under that policy. We will provide you with the necessary documentation.
Tours already booked cannot be cancelled and rebooked where special offers are made available.
Cancellation Penalties:
Note: Day one of the tour is the start date of the tour. Cancellation charges will also apply to any extra services pre and post tour.
How does my discount offer work?
Any discounts offered are given per person by way of either an offered percentage or set amount from the standard tour price. Additions including pre-night packages and single supplements are not included in offers. Repeat booker discounts and non-knitter discounts can be used in conjunction with special or seasonal discount offers.
Repeat booker discount – €100/£100 per repeat booker.
Non-Knitter discount – €200/£200 per non-knitter.