How do I organise a treasure hunt? | Treasure Hunt Frequently Asked Questions

1. What exactly is a Ready-City-Go® Treasure
Hunt?

A Ready-City-Go® Treasure Hunt is a fun competitive event in teams in one of Europe's top cities, where the route you take depends on your answers to a set of clues, questions and puzzles that can be tackled in any order.

We supply you with a map and a series of conundrums that send you on a journey of discovery of the city's past and present.

You manage the treasure hunt yourself on the day, administering and co-ordinating the teams (we provide all the materials you need to do this).

It's a fun way to get your bearings, see major sights, discover hidden corners, pick up interesting facts along the way and start to get a flavour of the location's history, architecture and people.

2. Who can go on a Ready-City-Go® Treasure
Hunt?

Any group that wants to split into teams for a mix of sightseeing and friendly fun.

We recommend a maximum of 4 people per team. Groups could include hen parties, stag parties or work colleagues for example - basically any group looking for something different and informative to do independently that's value for money and fun.

3. How do we get around during a Ready-City-Go®
Treasure Hunt?

The choice is yours! The flexible format of a Ready-City-Go® Treasure Hunt means you are not constrained to go in just one direction or to use a specific mode of transport.

So if you want to walk, use public transport, grab a taxi or hire a bicycle (or combine the lot!), you can. Just make sure you agree the 'rules' with the rest of the group before you set off!

4. When and where do Ready-City-Go® Treasure
Hunts start?

The choice is yours! As the Treasure Hunt is self-guided you're in control. Start when you want and where you want as a group.

Treasure Hunts cover a given area so obviously you need to get to somewhere in that area to actually start. We provide some suggested start points. Alternatively, you could actually start the Treasure Hunt at your hotel or where you're staying and open the Treasure Hunt pack there. Then you can decide where in the Treasure Hunt area you'll start and how you'll get there - and teams could even begin planning their Treasure Hunt route as they travel to the start!

We recommend doing the Treasure Hunt in daylight although this isn't essential if you have a torch :-)

5. How long does a Ready-City-Go® Treasure Hunt
last?

Most Ready-City-Go® Treasure Hunts are do-able on foot and typically would take around 3-4 hours at a medium pace. You can extend the event with your own clues if you wish. All you need to do is agree the end time with your colleagues before you set off!

6. I'm the organiser, what do I need to do?

It's straightforward, and the treasure hunt pack contains some guidance on what to do.
Things to think about in advance:
* Decide how many teams are taking part.
* Order the packs. If your group wish to pay individually or you'd prefer an invoice, please call us and we can arrange.
* Decide when the event will be and when it will start and end.
* Decide where the event will start and end. We provide suggested tube stations/pubs but you could start/end at your offices, hotel or a restaurant.
* Decide if you want to dress up!
* Make sure each team has a mobile phone with a camera.
* Decide if prizes will be awarded, what they might be and if you want any "special prize categories"!
* Decide if you need anyone else to help you.
* Call us on 07801 693001 if you need advice.

7. What do the treasure hunt packs contain?

The standard treasure hunt pack for two teams contains:
* Tips for the organiser on how to run the event. The organiser can still take part and not be at any advantage!
* One set of sealed answers
* One score sheet
* Two team packs, each containing a set of rules, a set of clues and a map. Each pack has a seal to discourage prying eyes prior to the day of the event!

Each additional sealed pack contains:
* One set of rules
* One set of clues
* One map.

All materials are in English. Expect cryptic clues, anagrams, code breakers, general knowledge, a variety of word and number puzzles and the odd trick question. Beware, we can be devious.

Your team will need to be observant, take photos, piece together information, think laterally, carry out tasks, work together, be resourceful and hold their nerve.

Trust us! - we've been doing this for over a decade so we know what works and what's naff.

8. Whereabouts do Ready-City-Go® Treasure
Hunts take place?

Currently, there are 25 great locations across the Uk and Europe. Treasure hunt destinations

9. Where can I buy a Ready-City-Go® Treasure
Hunt and how can I pay?

Buy online on this website. We take several forms of payment.

10. How far in advance should I buy a Ready-City-
Go® Treasure Hunt?

We recommend that if possible you should buy your Treasure Hunt 3-6 weeks before you intend to use it.

If less than 2 weeks then there is always the risk that it won't be delivered on time, particularly if mailed outside the UK.

If more than 6 weeks then it's possible that because of ongoing changes in cities or local events that the version you get may be out of date by the time you use it. So, if you'd like to buy at today's prices but are running your hunt in more than 6 weeks time just let us know the date of your event and we'll despatch the version that is current at that time.

11. How will my Treasure Hunt be delivered?

Several delivery options exist, including free postal delivery in the UK by Royal Mail. You can specify your delivery preference at time of booking.

12. Do you provide a downloadable version?

Not as standard. Downloading is constituted as a service by HM Revenue & Customs for which we would have to charge VAT to customers. This is one of the reasons we don't provide a download capability at this time.

13. Are the clues difficult?

Difficulty is a relative thing! Many years of experience has given our clue-setters a good instinct as to what works and what doesn't.

For example we wouldn't provide a set of clues where every single clue was based solely on observation - as we feel that insults your intelligence, offers little variety and doesn't really encourage you to be resourceful in finding out the answer.

After all, travel broadens the mind, and so we provide a broad range of clue styles including cryptic, anagrams, code breakers, general knowledge, photos, topical stuff, a variety of word and number puzzles. Plus the odd trick question (you have been warned!). Consequently, the variety of our clue styles gives our treasure hunts wide appeal to people of varying interests, ages and abilities.

14. What will I see?

This depends on the treasure hunt you choose, and how well you do it! Refer to the detail of the treasure hunt you're interested in for an overview of the key areas which the treasure hunts cover.

While this will give you the main sights there are a host of monuments, back alleys, churches, famous former residences, markets, palaces, green spaces and quirky parts of each city for you to discover. But why spoil things by stating them here... :-)

15. Do we need a map or a guide book?

You could consider purchasing a fold-out map depending on your itinerary and the duration of your stay - however these are not needed for the Treasure Hunt itself (as a map of the area covered by the Treasure Hunt is included in the materials).

A guide book is not required to undertake any Ready-City-Go® Treasure Hunt, however we would recommend you buy one if you wish to get more detail on the sights you'll encounter en route. Plus, it'll no doubt come in handy for the rest of your visit. But make sure you agree what reference material is allowable with the rest of the group as part of the 'rules'! One team having a guide book and another not would be seen as unfair.

Guide books can be purchased on this website.

16. Is there a prize?

We do not provide prizes. You may wish to organise something at your own expense - for the winner, wooden spoon, best story etc..

17. What if we get stuck on a clue?

As a Ready-City-Go® Treasure Hunt does not force you to go from point A to point B and so on, you can avoid getting stuck by simply skipping the clue. Chances are you'll eventually work it out - and don't forget there are lots of people to ask in a city, so you shouldn't be short of help.

18. What does a Ready-City-Go® Treasure Hunt
cost?

Ready-City-Go® Treasure Hunts start from £99, which works out at less than £10 per person for a group of 10 people in 2 teams. A bargain!

19. What else will I need to pay for?

The answers to all clues do not require you to pay for entry or admission - so you can enjoy the Treasure Hunt without having to pay anything other than the Treasure Hunt price.

Optionally you may wish to pay for transport to get around if you're not walking, a guide book and admission to any sights you're interested in - but none of these are essential to the enjoyment a Ready-City-Go® Treasure Hunt.

20. This is a self-guided tour. Will I be safe?

Ready-City-Go® Treasure Hunts cover popular and touristed areas of cities. However X Marks The Spot cannot accept liability for your safety on a Ready-City-Go® Treasure Hunt - the responsibility is yours alone. Make sure that you have travel insurance and we advise that you take normal sensible safety precautions when travelling, including carrying only the bare minimum where possible.

21. Why should I go on a Ready-City-Go® treasure
hunt?

A Ready-City-Go® Treasure Hunt from X Marks The Spot™ gets you and your group out and about, talking, thinking, working together in teams, sharing, learning, exploring and having fun.

What could be better than some fun mental stimulation and do-able physical exercise at the same time while enjoying one of the world's finest cities?

You're in control. You set the schedule and pace. Start and stop when and where you want. Get around in a way that suits you. Travel only with people you know.

It's a great value day out!

Ready-City-Go® treasure hunts - frequently asked questions