Discover Northern Italy ▪ 5/6-Day Trip to the Dolomites, Bergamo, Venice and Lake Garda [Small Group Tour with Chinese-Speaking Guide] <Milan pickup and drop-off>

Included

1. Transportation: Tour bus or business-class van (Note: arranged according to the number of participants);

2. Accommodation: Double rooms in local 3- to 4-star hotels throughout the trip (as listed in the itinerary);

3. Meals: 5 hotel buffet breakfasts;

4. Driver and guide: Dedicated bus driver + Chinese-speaking guide, or a Chinese-speaking driver-guide for the entire tour. (Note: If a vehicle with 9 seats or fewer is provided, a Chinese-speaking driver-guide will be arranged.)

5. Luggage: 1 piece of checked luggage weighing up to 23 kg and 1 piece of carry-on luggage;

6. Admission tickets: Bergamo funicular, Venice access fee, Seceda cable car, Alpe di Siusi cable car.

Expenses at your own expense

1. Single room supplement (solo travelers must pay a single room supplement; the difference will be refunded if someone later shares the room).

2. Tips for the driver and guide;

3. Overtime charges: The driver and guide work no more than 10 hours per day. If this limit is exceeded due to guests, an overtime fee of €50 per hour will be charged for the driver and guide.

4. Personal travel insurance: Insurance is essential for overseas travel to protect your interests through an insurance company in the event of personal emergencies, such as illness or lost belongings.

5. Economic losses and liabilities arising from delays or itinerary changes caused by force majeure factors such as weather or strikes, or by breakdowns of aircraft, vehicles, ships, or other means of transportation;

6. Personal expenses such as telephone calls, fax, laundry, pay-per-view TV, haircuts, tobacco, alcohol, drinks, and luggage handling at the hotel; other local services not specified (visas, air tickets, travel insurance, etc.);

7. All personal expenses and any expenses not mentioned under inclusions;

Other notes

1. Guides do not provide commentary inside attractions. Some attractions require a separate fee for commentary by a licensed local guide; arrangements are subject to the guide’s on-site instructions.

2. Child discount: Children under 6 years old who do not occupy a bed and share a double room with 2 parents are eligible for a 20% discount. When one adult travels with one child, the child pays the adult price.

3. The Premium Group series does not guarantee room sharing. Solo travelers must pay the single-room supplement. If a roommate is available within 7 days before departure, the supplement will be refunded.

Optional activities

Optional Excursions Information

Attraction tickets

Driver and guide tips

The above prices are for reference only. Any price adjustments will be subject to the prices announced at the time.

Please cooperate with and follow the guide’s itinerary for optional excursions; the guide’s itinerary will take priority.

Changes and cancellation policy

1. Cancel the tour

More than 31 days before departure (including the 31st day), we charge 5% of the amount due on the booking order;

15–30 days before departure (including the 30th day): the company charges 20% of the amount payable on the booking order;

8–14 days before departure (including the 14th day), we charge 50% of the amount due on the booking order;

Within 7 days before departure (including the 7th day), once all vehicle and hotel reservations have been confirmed, the tour fees you have paid are non-refundable;

*If you cancel after changing your booking: If you cancel your trip after changing the itinerary, the cancellation terms will be calculated based on the departure date of the original itinerary.

2. Change of date or tour (this policy applies only to switching between multi-day tour itineraries)

More than 31 days before departure (including the 31st day): no change fee is charged;

15–30 days before departure (including the 30th day): the company charges a change fee equal to 10% of the amount payable on the booking order;

8–14 days before departure (including the 14th day), we charge a change fee of 30% of the amount due on the booking order;

0–7 days before departure (including the 7th day): all transport and hotel bookings have been confirmed, changes are not permitted, and the company will not refund any travel fees you have paid;

*If you change your booking again after a previous change: A 5% fee applies to the second change if it is made at least 31 days before departure (including the 31st day).

*Receivables include the basic tour fee and additional accommodation charges.

[Other]:

If you are not cancelling the tour, you can cancel or change your additional hotel night free of charge up to 7 days before departure. Additional nights cannot be cancelled or changed within 7 days of departure. If you add a hotel night during the tour, a €5 per person service fee applies (nearby hotels may raise their prices). Discounted tour groups are non-refundable and cannot be changed.

[Note]:

1) If a tour member is unable to join the tour on time due to special circumstances, they may reschedule to a future tour. The rescheduling terms are as stated above.

2) If a group member leaves the tour unexpectedly or does not participate in any group activities during the trip (such as meals or sightseeing), they must complete and sign the Mid-Tour Withdrawal Declaration provided by our company. Fees paid are non-refundable.

3) All of the above must be confirmed in writing; otherwise, they will be deemed automatically forfeited, and the company accepts no responsibility.

Tour Information

To protect your interests to the greatest extent possible, please carefully read our Registration Information and Liability Details. This document contains important notices from our company to members of overseas tour groups and, together with our Safety Information and Other Precautions for Overseas Travel, forms part of the travel contract. Our company reserves the right to interpret all content on this website.

(I) Registration Process and Important Notes

If you book through this website, please carefully read all the terms published on our company website, in the order confirmation, and in the tour information notice. By submitting your order, you confirm that you have read and fully agree to the terms published by our company. If any tour participant violates the rules set out in these terms, they shall bear all resulting consequences.

1. When registering, please fill out the booking form on our website first. Carefully complete and check all the information you provide, including names, gender, ID or passport numbers, contact details, required room type, and pickup and drop-off points. Our company accepts no responsibility for any losses resulting from incorrect information entered by the customer. After your submission is successful, we will send you an order confirmation. As seats on tour buses are limited, we will give priority to arranging your tour departure based on when payment is received. The vehicle will be assigned according to the size of the group, with one seat guaranteed per person. Once you have checked that all details are correct, please arrange payment within the order’s validity period. If the tour fee is not paid in full by the deadline, your booking will be treated as automatically cancelled. We reserve the right to cancel your order without further notice.

2. Once the group confirms that the tour will operate, members must pay 100% of the tour fee within the order’s payment deadline. As coach seats and hotel rooms are limited and hotel bookings are often subject to time limits, members who book within five working days before departure should promptly complete payment. Otherwise, our agency reserves the right, depending on the circumstances, to hold or cancel such orders without first obtaining the applicant’s consent. The payer is responsible for any fees incurred when paying the tour fee, regardless of the payment method. After payment, please send proof of payment (the transaction slip for a bank-counter transfer or a screenshot showing a successful online transfer) to our company by email or fax. Be sure to include the relevant order number on the proof; otherwise, our finance department cannot match the payment to the order. If, because payment was made late, the tour fee has still not reached us two days before the end of the tour, our agency may require the member to provide the tour fee in cash as a deposit to the tour guide. If we subsequently verify that this resulted in a duplicate payment, our company will promptly refund the overpaid amount.

3. Once our company confirms receipt of your payment, we will confirm your place on the tour. Three days before departure, you will receive a tour confirmation notice at the email address provided when booking. It will include information for reference, such as the guide, itinerary, and pickup and drop-off points. Due to network delays or spam-filter settings, you may not receive the notice three days before departure. If this happens, please contact the relevant staff member for assistance.

4. We arrange room-sharing by default with travelers of the same gender. When arranging hotel room types according to travelers’ requests at the time of booking, if there is an odd number of travelers or a solo traveler (such as 3, 5, or 7 people), we will arrange room-sharing as appropriate. Travelers who do not wish to share a room may pay an additional single-room supplement. In special circumstances, such as during peak travel season, room types may change because certain hotels have limited room availability or for other reasons beyond our control; travelers must cooperate with our arrangements. If the room arrangement at the hotel does not meet a traveler’s requirements because they entered the wrong gender or room preference when booking, we will coordinate and make arrangements based on room availability on the day of check-in. Any additional costs incurred will be borne by the traveler.

Please note: Although the company arranges shared rooms for travelers who do not know each other, the company is not responsible for the conduct or behavior of the other group members. In the event of any differences in habits or disputes, neither the company nor the guide is responsible for resolving or intervening in the matter.

5. If a traveler needs to leave the tour early due to special circumstances, they must notify us when booking or before joining the tour and sign an “Early Tour Departure Declaration.” For each night of accommodation missed after leaving early, €30 will be deducted (or €50 per night if a single room was booked for the entire tour). If no hotel nights are missed, no reduction will be made to the tour price. If a traveler requests to leave the tour early while the tour is in progress, they must notify the guide and sign an “Early Tour Departure Declaration”; fees already paid are non-refundable. Travelers must provide truthful information about their health, identity, and other relevant matters when booking and during the tour, complete the relevant forms accurately, and fulfill all legal requirements. Travelers are responsible for any expenses and losses arising from personal reasons, such as feeling unwell during the trip. Travelers with a history of serious illness, terminal illness, or infectious disease must disclose this truthfully when booking. In view of a traveler’s health or other circumstances, we reserve the right to decide whether to accept their booking.

6. Travelers aged 70 or over who sign up for a tour must be accompanied by a family member and complete the “Tour Participation Declaration.” If they insist on signing up without a family member, our company reserves the right to refuse their booking, depending on the circumstances. Travelers shall be responsible for all consequences arising during the trip from their own actions.

7. Pregnant travelers must disclose their pregnancy when booking. As a general rule, participation is not recommended for those more than 24 weeks pregnant. Those who insist on joining must be accompanied by a family member and complete a Liability Waiver, but our company reserves the right to refuse participation depending on the circumstances. Those less than 24 weeks pregnant who insist on joining must also be accompanied by a family member and complete a Participation Declaration, but our company reserves the right to refuse participation depending on the circumstances. Travelers are responsible for all consequences arising from their own actions during the trip.

8. Minors joining the tour must be accompanied by at least one adult who fulfills their duty of supervision and is responsible for the minor’s safety. The group member is responsible for all consequences during the trip resulting from the minor’s own actions or the accompanying adult’s failure to supervise them properly.

9. Travelers must verify that all information provided for joining the tour is accurate, especially personal identification details and contact phone numbers. Travelers are responsible for any consequences resulting from inaccurate information they provide (for example, being unable to cross a border because a personal travel document has expired or the visa type does not meet the destination country's entry requirements, or tour staff and other relevant personnel being unable to contact a traveler because the mobile phone number provided is incorrect). Any resulting costs or losses, including return travel, transportation, and trip expenses, must be borne by the traveler.

10. Applicants are advised not to book any flights or other tickets related to the tour itinerary before their tour participation is confirmed. If an applicant books flights or other tickets related to the itinerary at their own discretion but is ultimately unable to join the tour, they shall bear all resulting losses.

11. The travel agency may terminate the contract if a tour member falls under any of the following circumstances (unless otherwise provided by relevant laws or administrative regulations): (1) The member has a communicable disease or other illness that may endanger the health and safety of other tour members; (2) The member carries items that endanger public safety and refuses to hand them over to the relevant authorities; (3) The member engages in illegal activities or activities that violate public morals; (4) The member engages in activities that seriously affect the rights and interests of other Party A members, and refuses to heed warnings or cannot be stopped; (5) Other circumstances stipulated by law that affect the performance of the contract. If the travel agency terminates the contract for any of the above reasons, it shall notify the tour member in writing or by other means and may deduct necessary expenses at its discretion before refunding the balance to the tour member.

(II) Tour Fees

1. Included in the price:

1) Luxury air-conditioned tour coach or other transportation specified in the itinerary

(Note: We will arrange vehicles based on the size of the tour group and guarantee one seat per person. Luggage requirements: Each person may bring one personal item and one piece of luggage to be stowed on the vehicle when joining the tour (the sum of its length, width, and height must not exceed 158 cm, and its weight must not exceed 23 kg).

2) Accommodation in European star-rated hotels, with breakfast at the hotel. (Note: Day tours do not include hotel accommodation.)

3) An experienced Chinese-speaking tour leader accompanies the group and leads sightseeing tours.

2. Exclusions:

1) Driver, tour guide, and other gratuities.

2) The cost of all meals during the trip.

3) Expenses incurred during free time.

4) Admission tickets, boat tickets, and bridge tolls for the optional excursions listed in the itinerary.

5) Any personal expenses incurred by tour members during the trip, such as non-complimentary meals on transportation, excess baggage fees; laundry, telephone, telegram, drinks and alcoholic beverages during the stay; hotel costs for extended stays; personal medical expenses; and fees and rewards for recovering lost personal belongings.

6) Costs of all types of medical insurance, personal accident insurance, and baggage insurance.

7) Additional expenses incurred due to force majeure or circumstances beyond the Company’s control, including weather, traffic delays, strikes, vehicle or transport equipment breakdowns, and personal issues.

8) All expenses incurred after leaving the group.

9) Other items not included in the “What’s Included” section above.

Our company reserves the right of final interpretation for any other fees not specified above.

3. Discounts on our own products and their terms of use

1) Children under 6 receive a 35% discount when booking a regular tour! Children under 6 receive a 20% discount when booking a premium small-group tour! *Note: Children do not occupy a bed. Please contact us if you require a bed. If one adult travels with a child, the child pays the full fare.

2) Only one coupon may be used per order.

3) Travel Credit can be combined with other offers; all other offers cannot be used together. If multiple offers apply, only the highest-value offer will be applied; offers cannot be stacked.

4. Room-sharing service

1) Solo travelers may choose the room-sharing service. We will arrange for them to share with a traveler of the same gender. We will not charge a single room supplement, whether or not we successfully arrange a roommate. Note: For bookings made within 5 days of departure, we reserve the right to charge the single room supplement for the entire trip, depending on the circumstances. [Note: Free room-sharing is not available for accommodation before or after the tour].

2) Travelers booking an odd-numbered place on a “Small Group Tour in Chinese” itinerary and willing to share a room must first pay the single room supplement for the unpaired traveler. If another traveler later shares the room, the supplement paid in advance will be refunded.

3) Room-sharing services are not available on some itineraries. Travelers booking an odd-numbered place on these itineraries must book and pay for a single room, for example, on tours in the United States, Canada, Kenya, and Egypt. [Note: Customer service will inform you separately about itineraries where room sharing is unavailable].

(III) Tour Member Responsibilities

1. Tour participants must not engage in illegal activities during the trip.

2. When exercising their rights, group members must not harm the interests of the state, society or the collective, or the lawful rights and interests of others.

3. Observe public order and respect social etiquette. Tour members should respect the dignity of tourism service staff, show mutual respect and assist one another, and respect local ethnic customs and traditions. Do not deface landscapes or buildings, spit, litter, or engage in other uncivilized behavior.

4. Make an effort to learn what you need to know for your trip and improve your awareness of how to protect yourself. We recommend that tour members independently select and purchase personal accident travel insurance and other insurance. During the trip, please safeguard your luggage and belongings, and carry valuables with you or take other protective measures. Unless a tour member specifically requests otherwise, the travel agency assumes that the tour member has independently purchased overseas travel insurance and accepts no responsibility for consequences arising from the customer’s failure to purchase insurance. (Note: The insurance mentioned here refers only to overseas travel insurance. Transportation and activities include the relevant insurance required by local law; this insurance is not included in overseas travel insurance.)

5. When traveling, pay attention to the local weather and take care to keep children safe.

6. If a traveler voluntarily takes part in hazardous activities included in a regular tour itinerary, such as rock climbing, mountaineering, rafting, scuba diving, or bungee jumping, which may cause personal injury, the traveler shall be solely responsible for any resulting disputes, property loss, or personal injury, and our company shall bear no liability.

(IV) Liability

1. Our company reserves the right to change accommodation locations, travel routes, sightseeing schedules, attractions visited, and departure dates as necessary, depending on the circumstances.

2. If there are not enough participants, or changes occur beyond our control, such as problems with a ship or flight, we reserve the right to change or cancel the itinerary. If a tour is cancelled, we will refund all fees paid by participants or recommend a similar alternative product. We are not liable for cancelling any itinerary.

3. In the event of social unrest, terrorist activities, a major infectious disease outbreak, natural disasters, acts of God, riots, murder, rebellion, war, or other disasters beyond our control that could seriously endanger the personal safety of group members, as well as unforeseen circumstances such as weather, traffic, or strikes, we reserve the right to cancel or replace any tour activity before or after departure, and to shorten or extend the itinerary, provided that group members are notified in advance. We accept no liability for any resulting additional expenses or losses, and group members may not object or withdraw on these grounds.

4. As public security conditions vary from country to country, tour members should take care of their personal and traffic safety and keep their belongings and luggage secure. If anything is lost or damaged during the trip due to loss, theft, robbery, or other causes, notify the tour leader and report it to the police promptly. Our company accepts no legal liability.

5. Tour members must carry a valid passport, visa pages, residence permit, and other required documents at all times. If a member has to leave the tour midway because of an issue with their documents or passport, they are responsible for the consequences, and the remaining tour fee will not be refunded. If this affects the other tour members’ itinerary, the member must bear the corresponding compensation liability.

6. If a traveler suffers personal injury or death, or loss of property, as a result of an accident during the itinerary (such as an accident while taking part in entertainment or recreational activities, illness, death, or a fall or injury resulting from personal activities, or the traveler’s violation of the provisions or notices set out in our company’s terms), the traveler shall bear all related liability and costs. Our company accepts no responsibility for such injury, death, or loss of property. The traveler shall compensate our company for any losses caused as a result.

7. If a group member deliberately fails to follow the rules or disrupts the normal activities or interests of the group, our tour leader has the right to cancel their participation. Fees paid will not be refunded, and we accept no responsibility for anything the member does after leaving the group.

8. All times shown in the itinerary are for reference only. Actual arrival times may be delayed due to various circumstances beyond our control, such as weather, traffic congestion, traffic accidents, festivals and sporting events, riots, or strikes. We appreciate your understanding. If you have onward travel plans requiring you to take another form of transportation to another city, we strongly recommend allowing at least 3 hours of buffer time to avoid inconvenience caused by itinerary delays. Our company accepts no responsibility for any losses resulting from independently arranged travel plans when travelers have not allowed sufficient buffer time.

(V) Overseas Travel Safety Information and Other Important Notes

I. Helpful Information

1. Some attractions in Europe offer student discounts. Students are advised to bring their student cards.

2. Plug standards vary across European countries (for example, plugs in Italy and Switzerland differ from those used in Germany). Please bring the appropriate plug adapters if needed.

3. For safety reasons, European coach operators require all children, regardless of age, to occupy a seat. As most coaches do not provide child safety seats, parents bringing children under 3 years old may bring their own. However, each child safety seat occupies one coach seat, and we cannot guarantee that every seat brought along will be suitable for the tour coach. Please note this.

2. Safety Information

Clothing

1. The weather in Europe is changeable. Please be sure to bring rain gear and a warmer jacket.

2. Please take good care of your belongings and luggage. We accept no responsibility for loss or theft.

3. Clearly write your name and contact details on your luggage for identification and to make it easier to return if it is found after being lost. If your luggage is lost, notify the relevant parties (such as the hotel or airline) and report it to the police as soon as possible. If it cannot ultimately be recovered, keep the police report to make a claim with the relevant party or your insurance company (if you have insurance).

Food

1. Hotel breakfast: Europeans tend to have simple breakfasts. Hotel breakfasts usually consist only of bread, coffee, tea, juice, etc. The hotels arranged by our agency all include a buffet breakfast;

2. Bring bottled water and dry food such as snacks with you in case of emergencies, especially for elderly people and children.

3. Do not drink unclean water or eat unhygienic food or food that smells unusual or has spoiled.

4. Do not accept or consume cigarettes, food, or drinks offered by strangers.

5. To help prevent illness caused by unfamiliar food or surroundings, bring any regular or commonly used medication. Travelers with chronic illnesses should carry their medical records in case they are needed. Never take medication provided by someone else without careful consideration.

6. We do not provide or arrange alcohol. Group members who drink should strictly control their alcohol consumption during the trip. Anyone who causes a disturbance through excessive drinking, disrupts public order, infringes on others’ rights, or causes financial loss to a third party is solely responsible for the consequences.

Accommodation

1. Hotel facilities:

① European cities are relatively small, and centrally located hotels are very limited in number and size. Their facilities may be relatively old, and they may not be up to the standard of comparable hotels in China.

② Hotels in Europe do not provide toothbrushes, toothpaste, or slippers. Please bring your own daily essentials.

③ Check that all the items provided in your hotel room are present and undamaged. If anything is missing or damaged, report it immediately to hotel staff or your tour guide.

④ For various reasons, including environmental considerations, the historic nature of the buildings, and Europe’s relatively cool climate, many hotels do not have air conditioning.

⑤ Italian hotels are relatively old, and generally provide blankets. Blankets are usually kept in the wardrobe in the room. If there isn’t one, please contact the front desk to request one.

⑥ Guests may bring a small travel hair dryer if needed.

⑦ A German-style double bed is usually one large bed with two sets of bedding. Whether travelers prefer one large bed or two single beds, this bed arrangement is common in most parts of Europe.

2. Hotel meals:

① European hotel rooms do not provide hot drinking water.

② Please cherish food. Do not waste it or take it away.

③ Breakfast times vary from hotel to hotel in Europe. Be sure to go to the restaurant early, at the time specified by the hotel, to avoid arriving late for personal reasons and finding that there is not enough food available.

④ Hotel dining differs somewhat from China. Breakfast is fairly simple (German breakfasts are more substantial, while Italian breakfasts are the simplest, consisting only of bread and coffee). Lunch and dinner may also be less plentiful, and their quantity and quality differ considerably from what you are used to at home.

3. Hotel safety tips for your stay:

① Please safeguard your valuables. Do not leave them in your hotel room, and avoid carrying large amounts of cash or expensive watches or jewelry. Keep your travel documents and belongings secure, and carry a copy of your travel documents and credit cards in case you need them as proof when reporting a loss. The company accepts no responsibility for items that are lost or stolen. ② Please do not smoke in hotel rooms. Any hotel fines resulting from smoking will be paid by the person responsible.

③ After checking into the hotel, review the hotel’s safety information. Check whether the room windows can be opened and where the fire-fighting equipment is located. Familiarize yourself with the hotel’s emergency exits, safety stairways, and evacuation routes.

④ Do not casually tell strangers which hotel or room you are staying in. Do not let strangers or people claiming to be hotel maintenance staff enter your room. Lock the door whenever you leave or enter, and before going to sleep check that the door and windows are closed and the security lock is engaged. Keep your belongings close by; do not leave them near the window or on the floor.

⑤ If you need to go out after checking into the hotel, please inform your tour guide and pick up a hotel business card at the front desk. It shows the hotel’s address and phone number; if you get lost, you can ask for help using the address on the card.

Yes

1. Boarding and alighting:

① All tour participants must gather on time and depart promptly. Please arrive at the pickup point 15 minutes early. Our tour bus will not wait. Anyone who fails to meet at the agreed time and place, or join the tour en route, will be considered to have forfeited their place, and no refund will be given.

② The boarding and disembarking times shown on the website are estimates. The company’s confirmation will determine the exact pickup and drop-off locations. (If traffic or other exceptional circumstances prevent our coach from arriving at the pickup point on time, or the time changes at short notice, we will notify you promptly. Please wait patiently.)

③ Coaches come in three types: large coaches, minibuses, and 9-seat minibuses. Large coaches generally have dedicated luggage compartments, while minibuses and 9-seat minibuses have relatively limited luggage space. As coach luggage-compartment space is limited, we recommend bringing as little luggage as possible. We will arrange vehicles based on the final group size, ensuring one seat per person.

④ To avoid overcrowding near attractions, coach parking areas in most European cities are located some distance away, and drivers are not allowed to park wherever they wish. Violations can result in hefty fines, so the drop-off and pick-up points may be some distance from the attractions. We appreciate your understanding.

2. Safety tips for coach travel:

① Smoking is prohibited in the vehicle.

② Please do not bring prohibited items.

③ Do not handle any items in the vehicle unnecessarily, to avoid causing damage.

④ While the coach is temporarily parked, follow your tour guide’s instructions and do not wander away.

⑤ When getting off the tour bus to sightsee, dine, or shop, please make sure the bus windows are closed and take your valuables with you. The travel agency accepts no responsibility for items that are lost or stolen.

⑥ Because the journey is long and the vehicles are heavily used along the way, if a vehicle breaks down and disrupts the itinerary, the travel agency will promptly take remedial action. Please cooperate.

III. Other Important Information and Precautions

1. Please comply with local laws and regulations.

2. Please be sure to carry the relevant documents and a valid passport with you.

3. When participating in group activities, follow the tour leader's/guide's instructions and avoid leaving the group for your safety.

4. Before taking part in any high-risk activity, assess your health and abilities, and follow the relevant safety instructions, such as wearing a life jacket, fastening a seat belt, and wearing suitable or required clothing. Tour members are strongly advised not to take part in these activities during free time on the trip. If you choose to take part, you do so at your own risk.

5. Do not take part in entertainment activities suspected of being illegal.

6. Pay attention to and observe all warnings, such as not wandering around or feeding the animals in a wildlife park.

7. When visiting areas with poor public security, be especially vigilant and avoid going out alone.