If you don't understand the nuanced language of tour brochures, your magnificent journey to Italy could prove a horrendous disappointment.

In your dictionary, "see" and "view" are synonymous, but not so in a travel brochure. In a tour itinerary, to "see" an attraction usually means "drive-by"; "view" means a photo stop. But what you had expected was to visit a site, which usually indicates an inside guided tour with entry fees paid on your behalf.

A savvy travel agent will know or will ask the tour operator about a vague term. Know exactly what you're paying for before you make a significant travel investment.

Tours come in four main flavors:

Escorted tour: Group travel with hotels, some meals and a set itinerary escorted by a professional tour manager.

Package travel: For individuals who want group-pricing on a fixed but unguided itinerary with ground transportation and hotels booked in advance.

Independent tours: For individuals who choose their travel arrangements from a banquet of modular options.

Charter travel: Charter of a plane that flies to a destination on specific dates and usually includes accommodations, some meals and transfers.

Be sure to question the inclusion of transportation, meals, drinks, tips, taxes and special events. Ask about any extra costs you may be unaware of.

Descriptions such as "luxury," "deluxe," "first class," or "budget" have no firm definition within the travel industry other than: very costly, expensive, moderate or economical in price. Facilities and arrangements will vary — one man's five-star hotel is another's dump — so ask your travel agent who will be familiar with brochures you're examining.

"Land-only" prices include only hotels, sightseeing and some meals, not air transportation to the tour's starting point.

"All-inclusive" usually covers land arrangements plus roundtrip airfare or other transport. (Note there may be vast discrepancies between all-inclusive programs.)

"Add-on" fares are the supplement for air transport between domestic cities and the tour's U.S. departure point.

"Double occupancy" means two people traveling together and staying in the same room and each paying the fare indicated. Solo travelers are charged a "single supplement" for sole occupancy of a room above the per person, double occupancy fare.

"Sightseeing tour" or "excursion" typically refers to a guided half- or full-day program to visit a destination's attractions. A quick drive-by of major sites is called an "orientation tour."

The "escort, manager, conductor or director" is the professional nanny (not a guide) who supervises the tour from arrival to departure.

A "local host" is a tour operator representative who provides information, sightseeing and entertainment in a city to unescorted package travelers.

A "local guide or driver-guide" is engaged by the operator to lead an excursion with commentary.

Free time is coined as "time to explore and/or discover" or as "at leisure."

If "transfers" are included, transport between airport and hotel is provided at the beginning and end of your tour.

A room described as ocean-front/harbor-front should directly face the water. An ocean-view room may have only limited views of waves or sailboats.

"Continental breakfast" consists of rolls, butter, honey or jams, and tea or coffee, but could include cereal, juice and yogurt. A "buffet breakfast" may offer a large or small spread of hot and cold choices. A "full American breakfast" signifies juice, fruit, cereal, eggs, bacon or sausage and breads. When dinners are included many operators offer only "table d'hote," a fixed menu normally of three courses that does not cover drinks. On "a la carte" basis offered by very upmarket tour operators, participants choose dishes from the full menu.

A tour identified as "full board" or "AP" (American plan), includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. "Half board" or "MAP," modified American plan, includes breakfast and one other meal.

And, finally, watch out for catchwords that mask optional excursions and entertainments at additional cost: "Why not see?" or "Perhaps enjoy ..."

Irene Croft Jr. of Kailua, Kona, is a travel writer and 40-year veteran globetrotter. Her column is published in this section every other week.