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FAQ
Thirty
most frequently asked questions about a GreenEye' trip.
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What is GreenEye? |
An
ecotour provider of Eastern-Europe, Middle-East and Africa,
specialised on butterfly-, birding and other outdoor and
wildlife activities.
We organize and/or run things ourselves with the help of
local companies. This is a internet-based business, and
we live much of the year (7-8 month/year) abroad.
Our
business model is lean and clean. We don't have to satisfy
investors or company directors. We all made enough money
already to live and don't cut corners on the operation to
make money. Rather, we find the right balance on spending
for the trip so that we (you and us) have a fantastic trip
and the rest goes for foundations and more explorations.
We are not interested in expanding, we keep our operation
simple and tidy.

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Insurances |
To
protect yourselves, we require full travel and healt insurance
from everybody to join our tours. |
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Does GreenEye offer any trips
that are appropriate for families or privates ?
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Yes
- many of our trips are excellent for families, group of friends,
couples and people over 50.
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Your trips are really like of a family'? |
Yes
- one of the main attractions of our trips is the friendly
and intimate atmosphere. We also have many programs beyond
the main itinerary. For example, cooking traditional meals
in a traditional manner, sunsets around a campfire.

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What that means VIP trips? |
For
these trips we use only the best transport, sleep in former
aristocratic Palaces and Mansions - including some that belonged
to the Habsburgs - and visit the finest restaurants and winecellars
only.
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How big are the groups? |
Our
average group size is 3-7, with the exceptions of some of
our butterfly and hiking-trekking tours (up to 12). Small
groups are an important ingredient in adventure travel.
They offer more opportunities for interaction and allow
us to offer a better service during the itinerary. This
is also a lot about flexibility and access to the most remote
habitats and species.
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What is included in the tour price? |
Our
itineraries cover all accommodation; all meals, starting
with dinner on Day 1 and finishing with breakfast on your
departure day; all internal transport; airport transfers;
all day trips as outlined in the itinerary; all fees and
tickets; all the services of our tour leaders and all the
costs of the escort and local guides.

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Are these “educational” tours? |
Yes,
in the broadest sense of the word, „educational”.
We visit museums, national parks, reserves and include talks
and discussions on many aspects of local history, culture
and nature. But this is only part of the educational experience.
We believe that it is equally important to meet local people
on an informal non-commercial basis, visit their homes and
even try to learn a few words in their native language.
Sometimes the most 'educational' moments occur when we wander
through the streets of a mountain village or in the heart
of a nature reserve.

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How do we travel during the tour? |
All
local transportation is included in the land price of the
trip. We travel with 4x4s or minivans. We use boats and canoes
on some trips, and we like to hike when we're off the beaten
track. |
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What are our accommodations like? |
We
stay in excellent 3 star acco-mmodations until otherwise
requested, that ranges family-run pensions with mountain-views
and small hotels. All overnight stays include a private
facilities. If you choose a private or family trip with
us, we are happy to organise whatever standard of accomodation
you want.
Some of our travellers ask to spend 1-3 nights camping.
If it is the case, we usually make camp at some beautiful
vista, start up a campfire, watch the sunset, and cook a
traditional meal over the fire or make a barbecue.

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When is payment due? |
A
deposit of $350 is due at the time of booking which will
reserve your place on the tour. Cancellation charges are
applicable and are outlined in the „Terms
and Conditions” section of our brochure..

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What should I take on the tour? |
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What meals are included? |
All
meals during the itinerary are included, starting with dinner
on Day 1, and finishing with breakfast on your departure
day. We eat a variety of local food prepared in a range
of settings. Croatia, Hungary and Romania are well known
for their cuisine, and there will be ample opportunity to
sample local specialties throughout our adventure. Your
drinking water, coffee/tea also included.

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Can you arrange my flights or insurance? |
No,
we are very sorry but we do not deal with flight tickets,
travel insurance and visas.
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Can I pay with VISA or other credit cards?
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No,
unfortunatelly we cannot accept credit cards. |
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What can I do if I would like more information? |
You
can find all the basic details in the itinerary and in the
section linked from the navigation bars. If you have any
further questions, please write us
by e-mail. We are happy to answer to your questions. GreenEye
is proud of its record for prompt replies.

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What is the avarage age on the trip? What kind of people sign
up for GreenEye tours? |
The
average age on our tours is usually linked to the type of
trip. About half of our travellers are families of different
ages, mostly a couple with 1-3 children, or 1-2 couples,
or small groups of friends usually in the 50 + age range
(most of our trips designed for people 50 and over).
Most of our travellers are different nationalities. Our
clients are also diverse in terms of background, but all
share an interest in nature.
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What is the physical demand on the trip?
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Nothing
serious. There is no difficult physical exersion on our trips,
and certainly nothing dangerous. On some days you should be
able to complete walks of 1-4 hours duration, or walk up light
slopes. Please assume up to 3-5 miles on the most difficult
day. Of course if you feel tired, you have the opportunity
to have a break or to stay in with the van. We always have
a contingeny for this possibility, and work out a pleasant
less physical alternative for those who prefer. Most of our
trips alternate walking days with more restful, cultural days.
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What does the price include and exclude?
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Will I have opportunity for shopping or buying souvenirs ??? |
Beyond
general shopping opportunities we take special breaks for
the main shopping areas, or we dedicate some time for shopping
at the best places, such as so-called 'shopping villages'
in Transylvania. ss
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What trip should I take if I want to see the most important
birds of the Eastern-European region?
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Each
part of the region has special characteristics, but all of
our trips cover the main rarities in a certain area. If you
have any special interests, please contact
us by e-mail and we will recommend the most appropriate
tour available. Our East. European trips usually cover 140-220
bird species and 100+ butterfly species depending on the itinerary.
We hold the record for a single trip in the region both for
birds (254 species) and butterflies (153).
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I'm new at birding. What tours do you suggest?
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We
welcome new nature enthusiast, reflecting our philosophy
of sharing knowledge and inspiring people to find out more
about nature conservation. If you have any special interests
as a newly hooked, please e-mail us
and we will recommend you the most appropriate tour available.

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I'm very interested in other aspects of nature in addition
to birds/butterflies.
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All
of our trips include time to see other wildlife such as
large mammals and reptiles, but we also have special trips
to see bats, dragonflies and others (please visit
our "trip" page for details).
Our
principal guide has the widest interest of animal life.
He knows all the vertebrates of the region from the mammals
to the birds, reptiles and amphibians, as well as the insects
such as butterflies, dragonflies, moths, and many beetles.
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I'm interested in photography. Which GreenEye tours provide
good photo opportunities?
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All!
:) All of our tours are photography-oriented. |
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What tours are the best for people who are limited in the amount
of walking they can do? |
We
have many trips designed for people over 50. "Designed"
means we plan a route which is less physically demanding,
with easier shorter hikes, and more breaks en route.
If you have a serious injury or disability we request that
you please contact our office
before making a booking. We can recommend a private or adequate
itinerary for you, which is not necessarily more expensive.

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Can I contact some previous clients? |
Sure.
Email us with your appropriate contact details, your area of
interest and this will help us to recommend the most appropriate
people to contact.
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