General Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I need a passport or need a new passport?
If you are a U.S. citizen and need to receive or renew your passport ahead of international travel, please visit the U.S. Department of State’s travel website to fill out the necessary forms. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time as passport processing often takes several months and could take longer during peak travel periods. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time as passport processing can take as long as 18 weeks for routine requests and 12 weeks for expedited service.
What are the new travel requirements for entry into the United States from a foreign destination?
Effective January 26, 2021, the CDC requires all customers ages 2 and up traveling to or connecting through the U.S. to have proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 3 days before departure and sign an attestation. CDC Re-Entry Guidelines
How are Sisters and Suitcases trips different from regular tours and other women's tours?
Sisters and Suitcases trips are professionally curated for Black women and include appealing and entertaining “female specific” activities--like spa visits, hiking, cooking classes in regional cuisines, wine tastings, lectures on specialty topics, in-home visits to learn about the life-styles of women of other cultures, visits to gardens, vineyards and art galleries, evening entertainment, free time to shop and more.
Why should I join Sisters and Suitcases on a curated Experience?
Isn’t it time you nurtured the free-spirit inside you, unencumbered by your customary demands and responsibilities, if only for a few days? Perspective is best achieved by taking a look at life’s options from different angles. Once you’ve refreshed yourself on one of our trips, you will no doubt rejoin your family and coworkers with renewed energy and focus.
What is the average age of the women who travel with Sisters and Suitcases
Our travelers are women from all walks of life, in all stages of life. We don't restrict age on Sisters and Suitcases group trips, and there's an important reason why. We're here…to create a space for women of all ages and backgrounds to connect with each other. We think this aspect of our trips is pretty special.
What are your Booking Terms?
Sisters and Suitcases Booking Terms
What’s included?
Please visit each individual trip for a list of what's included. Typically our trips include all accommodations, some meals, curated experiences and local transportation for experiences listed in the individual itinerary.
What’s NOT included
They typically do not include international flights, alcohol, travel insurance, visa fees, and personal experiences.
Why do I need Travel Insurance?
We require all travelers to purchase travel insurance before traveling with us. There will be no exceptions. You must show proof of purchase and coverage 60 days before your trip start date. Failure to show this will result in cancellation of your booking. Get your travel insurance.
What is the required deposit?
See Trip details on website
Is my deposit refundable?
Your deposit is not refundable.
Why is the deposit non-refundable?
Our vendor(s)…. hotels, transportation, restaurants, local guides, etc. -- require upfront commitments that we must adhere to. When we offer a package to you we have to ensure, through good-faith payments, that you will attend the events. This is the only way our vendors will take us seriously, and will want to help us provide the best experiences possible to our Sisters and Suitcases guests.
What is the group size?
Less is more. We like to keep our groups between 8-12 travelers. If the demand is high we may open a few additional spot or a new experience.
Can I come by myself
We cap our group size at 12 women per trip, and typically more than half of those women come alone. The other women are traveling with a friend, mom, sister, coworker, etc. So, the short answer is YES! You can totally come on a Sisters and Suitcase trip solo! More than half the group will be just like you - brave enough to take a trip alone! These women are open to making new connections and always coming home with a few new friends.
Will I have time for myself?
Absolutely. We love group travel, but we also know how important it is to have time to explore on your own. All of our itineraries have plenty of time built in for you to do your own thing. Nothing is mandatory, but a lot will be included in the overall trip price.
I want to go but I’m worried about COVID-19. Can you give me more information?
We hear you and understand. Please visit our COVID-19 Page for more information.
The trip I want to go on is sold out. Do you have a waitlist?
Yes! Add yourself to the waitlist here We give waitlist priority to our
Further Questions
We will provide more details in our welcome packet, that you will receive way in advance of departure. This packet will include emergency contact information, hotel information, information on local currency, recommendations for packing, and other travel tips.
If you are a U.S. citizen and need to receive or renew your passport ahead of international travel, please visit the U.S. Department of State’s travel website to fill out the necessary forms. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time as passport processing often takes several months and could take longer during peak travel periods. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time as passport processing can take as long as 18 weeks for routine requests and 12 weeks for expedited service.
What are the new travel requirements for entry into the United States from a foreign destination?
Effective January 26, 2021, the CDC requires all customers ages 2 and up traveling to or connecting through the U.S. to have proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 3 days before departure and sign an attestation. CDC Re-Entry Guidelines
How are Sisters and Suitcases trips different from regular tours and other women's tours?
Sisters and Suitcases trips are professionally curated for Black women and include appealing and entertaining “female specific” activities--like spa visits, hiking, cooking classes in regional cuisines, wine tastings, lectures on specialty topics, in-home visits to learn about the life-styles of women of other cultures, visits to gardens, vineyards and art galleries, evening entertainment, free time to shop and more.
Why should I join Sisters and Suitcases on a curated Experience?
Isn’t it time you nurtured the free-spirit inside you, unencumbered by your customary demands and responsibilities, if only for a few days? Perspective is best achieved by taking a look at life’s options from different angles. Once you’ve refreshed yourself on one of our trips, you will no doubt rejoin your family and coworkers with renewed energy and focus.
What is the average age of the women who travel with Sisters and Suitcases
Our travelers are women from all walks of life, in all stages of life. We don't restrict age on Sisters and Suitcases group trips, and there's an important reason why. We're here…to create a space for women of all ages and backgrounds to connect with each other. We think this aspect of our trips is pretty special.
What are your Booking Terms?
Sisters and Suitcases Booking Terms
What’s included?
Please visit each individual trip for a list of what's included. Typically our trips include all accommodations, some meals, curated experiences and local transportation for experiences listed in the individual itinerary.
What’s NOT included
They typically do not include international flights, alcohol, travel insurance, visa fees, and personal experiences.
Why do I need Travel Insurance?
We require all travelers to purchase travel insurance before traveling with us. There will be no exceptions. You must show proof of purchase and coverage 60 days before your trip start date. Failure to show this will result in cancellation of your booking. Get your travel insurance.
What is the required deposit?
See Trip details on website
Is my deposit refundable?
Your deposit is not refundable.
Why is the deposit non-refundable?
Our vendor(s)…. hotels, transportation, restaurants, local guides, etc. -- require upfront commitments that we must adhere to. When we offer a package to you we have to ensure, through good-faith payments, that you will attend the events. This is the only way our vendors will take us seriously, and will want to help us provide the best experiences possible to our Sisters and Suitcases guests.
What is the group size?
Less is more. We like to keep our groups between 8-12 travelers. If the demand is high we may open a few additional spot or a new experience.
Can I come by myself
We cap our group size at 12 women per trip, and typically more than half of those women come alone. The other women are traveling with a friend, mom, sister, coworker, etc. So, the short answer is YES! You can totally come on a Sisters and Suitcase trip solo! More than half the group will be just like you - brave enough to take a trip alone! These women are open to making new connections and always coming home with a few new friends.
Will I have time for myself?
Absolutely. We love group travel, but we also know how important it is to have time to explore on your own. All of our itineraries have plenty of time built in for you to do your own thing. Nothing is mandatory, but a lot will be included in the overall trip price.
I want to go but I’m worried about COVID-19. Can you give me more information?
We hear you and understand. Please visit our COVID-19 Page for more information.
The trip I want to go on is sold out. Do you have a waitlist?
Yes! Add yourself to the waitlist here We give waitlist priority to our
Further Questions
We will provide more details in our welcome packet, that you will receive way in advance of departure. This packet will include emergency contact information, hotel information, information on local currency, recommendations for packing, and other travel tips.
