Scotland in Autumn Study Tour

Is this a hotel or supplier FAM?

​

No. You'll stay in beautiful hotels and experience a range of accommodations, but this Study Tour isn't built around hotel site inspections or supplier presentations.

 

Instead, we'll focus on understanding Scotland as travelers experience it. The energy of Edinburgh, the charm of St Andrews, the landscapes of the Highlands, and the small details that transform a trip from good to unforgettable.

 

Our goal is to help you return home with deeper destination expertise and greater confidence in the recommendations you make to clients.

 

Do I need to already specialize in Scotland?

 

Not at all. Some advisors joining the tour may already sell Scotland trips regularly, while others are looking to grow this side of their business.
 

The Study Tour is designed for both.

 

What matters most is curiosity, a desire to learn, and an interest in experiencing Scotland in the same thoughtful way you recommend clients travel.

You'll return home with a deeper understanding of the destination, fresh ideas, and greater confidence in the recommendations you make to clients.

 

Do I need to be a member of the British Isles Travel Expert Membership to apply?

​

No. You don’t need to be a member to apply for a Study Tour.

​

However, members of the British Isles Travel Expert Membership receive:

​

• Early access to applications

• A $250 savings per person on Study Tour pricing

• Year-round destination education, marketing resources, and advisor support

 

Our Study Tours and membership are designed to complement one another. The membership helps advisors understand how the British Isles work through resources, training, and planning tools. The Study Tours help advisors understand how destinations feel through firsthand experience.

 

Because our groups are intentionally small, some tours will fill during the member application period before applications open to non-members.

​

Does joining the membership guarantee me a spot?

 

No. Membership gives advisors the opportunity to apply before the general public and receive preferred pricing, but it does not guarantee a place on any Study Tour.

 

Spaces are assigned primarily in the order applications are received, subject to room availability and rooming arrangements.

​

Because our groups are intentionally small, it's possible for a tour to fill entirely during the member application period.

​

Why do members receive priority and discounted pricing?

 

Our Study Tours are a natural extension of the British Isles Travel Expert Membership.

 

Members spend months or years building destination knowledge through trainings, hotel recommendations, itineraries, planning resources, and marketing content. Study Tours give them the opportunity to deepen that expertise through firsthand experience.

 

Advance access and preferred pricing are our way of rewarding advisors who have already invested in becoming British Isles specialists while continuing to welcome new advisors who share that same passion.
​​

How many advisors will be accepted?

 

The Scotland Study Tour is intentionally limited to 15-20 advisors.

We believe smaller groups create a better experience, where conversations continue over dinner, questions get answered, and advisors have the opportunity to connect with one another throughout the journey.

Because room inventory is limited, the exact number of participants may vary slightly depending on rooming arrangements and the availability of single rooms.

​

How physically active is this tour?

 

Most activities are leisurely to moderately active.

 

Expect city walking tours, time exploring villages and attractions, and optional walks through scenic areas.

There are no strenuous hikes or physically demanding activities planned, though participants should be comfortable walking on uneven historic streets, cobblestones, and climbing stairs.

​

Are the hotels and experiences guaranteed?

 

We fully intend to operate the tour as described.

 

However, hotels, restaurants, attractions, guides, transportation providers, and specific experiences are subject to change due to availability, weather, operational requirements, closures, or circumstances outside of our control.

 

Should changes become necessary, substitutions will be made with experiences and accommodations of comparable quality and character.

 

How does the application process work?

 

Study Tours are application only.

Applications are processed primarily on a first come, first served basis.

 

Members of the British Isles Travel Expert Membership receive early access to apply and preferred pricing. Because group sizes are intentionally limited, some tours will fill during the member application period before applications open to non-members.

 

Applications ask about:

• Your travel business

• Experience selling the British Isles

• Rooming preferences

• Why you're interested in the tour

 

Because room inventory is fixed, we review rooming preferences and availability before confirming each reservation.

 

If a spot is available, advisors will receive an email invitation with payment details and next steps.
We ask advisors to apply only when they are prepared to move forward with the tour and submit their deposit promptly.

 

Is a deposit required?

 

Yes. A $250 non-refundable deposit per person is required within 48 hours of acceptance to secure your place on the tour.

If the deposit is not received within 48 hours, your place will be released and offered to another advisor.

​

Are payments refundable?

 

No. All payments made toward Study Tours are non-refundable.

Because we work with hotels, guides, transportation providers, and experience partners that require advance commitments, we are unable to offer refunds for cancellations or unused portions of the tour.

 

For this reason, we strongly encourage all participants to purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation/interruption coverage, medical coverage, and emergency evacuation benefits.

​

What payment options are available?

 

A non-refundable deposit of $250 per person is required within 48 hours of being offered a place on the tour.

 

You may choose one of the following payment options:
Automatic Payments

The remaining balance will be charged automatically in two equal installments:

​

• 50% of the remaining balance due July 15, 2026

• Final balance due August 1, 2026

 

By selecting automatic payments, you authorize Girasole Travel to charge the card on file for these scheduled payments unless you request to pay your remaining balance in full before July 10, 2026.

 

Pay in Full

 

You may pay the full tour cost at any time prior to July 15, 2026.

 

All payments made toward Study Tours are non-refundable.

​

What are the rooming options?

 

All prices are listed per person based on double occupancy.

 

You may:

• Share with another advisor of your choosing

• Bring an adult guest (18+) at the same (non-member) per-person rate

• Request that we pair you with another advisor

• Request a single room (limited availability and an additional supplement applies)

 

If requesting to room with another advisor, both advisors must submit separate applications and list each other as their preferred roommate.

 

Can I bring a guest?

 

Yes. Guests are welcome on most Study Tours and must be at least 18 years old and do not need to be travel advisors.

Guests pay the same (non-member) rate as advisors and share in the same accommodations and included experiences.
​

Why are there so many rooming options?

 

We recognize advisors travel differently.

Some prefer traveling with a colleague, others want to bring a spouse or friend, and some are excited to meet another advisor with similar interests.

 

We've designed our rooming options to be as flexible as possible while still maintaining the small-group atmosphere that makes these tours special.