Travel Resources

Making the most out of Your Journey

Thank you for making your booking with us. Please be assured that we will do everything possible to make it a pleasant and rewarding experience for you.

The following is some information and links that will help you prepare for your journey - after all: the excitement of getting ready for any journey is a good part of the fun that comes with travel.

If you have any questions or concerns please call us toll free at 1-877-925-5587. Keep in mind it is better for you to know before you leave.

Travel at all times is an intensely rewarding experience. It is also a very personal experience. We can all see the same things but yet we each react differently to them, depending upon our background, nature and personality; therefore, what is absorbed, remembered or treasured will vary from individual to individual.

Much work has gone into the planning and operation of your itinerary. The program has a great spiritual value, will be lots of fun and will provide you with memories to last a lifetime.

If you love travel, enjoy being with people, and love exploring the mysteries of faraway places, you will have an absolutely wonderful time. Yet group tour travel is not for everybody; it requires understanding. There are literally hundreds of components that make up a complete tour package and some people find it difficult to adjust to the occasional discomforting situation, which arises when you travel through vastly different regions having different lifestyles. Travel abroad also requires a pleasant tolerance of different customs, habits and living standards. It necessitates agreeable acceptance of foreign conditions, accommodations, service and most of all, people for what they are and not for what we would like them to be. All generalizations and preconceptions are excess baggage. They are like blinders and should be shed. If you travel with an open mind, you will gain much better insight into the various aspects of life abroad, and you will have a far richer experience.

Let us assure you we will make every conceivable effort to make sure you have an exciting tour.

Travel Documents:

When traveling Internationally you need a PASSPORT that is valid for at least six months from the time of departure. While on tour you should carry this passport with you always. Do not leave it in the hotel room or in your suitcase.

Passport Services and Information

A number of countries like Egypt, India, Russia, Belarus, China and Kenya do require TOURIST VISAS for United States citizens. If you are not a United States citizen and are booking with us please give us a call as soon as possible (toll free 1-877-925-5587).

Visa Information (Foreign Entry Requirements)

For those heading to Canada and Mexico all U.S. passengers (including children) must be in possession of proof of U.S. citizenship and photo ID. Such as a current passport (highly recommended), original certified copy birth certificate together with your driver's license, State Identification Card or Naturalizations papers.

Travelers with foreign citizenship and travel documents should consult their government concerning documents required to enter (re-enter) foreign countries and the United States.

Passports, tourist's visas, and IDs are the responsibility of the person traveling. Not having the proper documents will result in penalty fees.

** It is a good idea to have copies of all your documents with you while on a trip.
Of course you will need to keep them separate from the originals.**

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Health & Safety

Sub Topics: Travel Insurance  Safety Abroad

Health:
While there are very few places in the world that require Health Certificates and shots to travel, a number do exist. We strongly suggest that you talk with your physician (or visit a Travel Clinic which is an excellent source of information) and visit your dentist before taking any tour. CDC Traveler's Health site (U.S. Department of Health)

If you need any special medication take sufficient amounts to last you for the duration of the tour and bring your prescription. It is recommended you keep your medication in your carry-on bag and your prescriptions and spare glasses in your suitcase. Should you become ill or an emergency arise, there are excellent doctors and hospital, medical and dental facilities to be found throughout the world. The front desk of most hotels will be able to find you an English-speaking doctor. Another word of advice is to take along a spare pair of glasses or contact lenses especially if you rely heavily on your glasses.

Some suggest that you continue to take your medication at the same time you normally do back home. This is so you do not throw off your body while on tour or when you get back from your trip. The following link can help you set your medication time. Local times around the world

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Travel Insurance:
Each year during their trips, a number of travelers encounter unexpected difficulties, which often prove quite expensive. Purchasing low-cost travel insurance before the trip could have guarded against most of these money-consuming problems. Consequently, we urge all travelers to protect themselves by securing adequate Trip Cancellation and Interruption and Accident/Sickness Insurance before taking their journey. Below is a brief description of each of these insurance plans. Please take them into consideration when buying any type of travel package.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance.
As noted under the General Conditions on the back of your tour brochure or on our website, late cancellation could result in payment penalties enforced by the airlines and tour companies (European World Travel does not charge you for canceling). These strict rules governing cancellations are set by the government to protect the remaining passengers against last-minute cost increases due to vacancies. With adequate Trip Cancellation insurance, should you be forced to cancel before the tour, you could receive a refund of a predetermined limit for any expenses of your travel program that cannot be reclaimed, less the cost of the insurance. Trip Interruption insurance covers you in cases where you have to withdraw while you are on tour.

Accident/Sickness Insurance
A large number of medical insurance plans have international medical coverage. Medicare and Medicaid do not. Please check with your insurance carrier to see if you are covered and for how much. Most travel insurance policies have some sort of accidental loss of life, limb or sight (credit cards usually only offer this coverage); medical expenses for accidents; and in-hospital sickness benefits included in their travel insurance packages.

Keep in mind Travel Insurance is supplemental to your present insurance program. You usually have to make a claim with your insurance provider first and then Travel Insurance will make up the difference up to certain dollar limits.

All major tour vendors offer some type of Travel Insurance at a very reasonable rate. Below are links to primary insurance programs. With primary insurance (the opposite of supplement insurance) you make your initial claim directly with the travel insurance carrier.

Travel Insurance (A primary insurance)

** Very Important - To receive reimbursements from nearly any insurance company, you must bring home documentation: receipts if you have purchased replacement items; a statement from the tour director or hotel bellman for damaged baggage; a comprehensive report for stolen items; an invoice from the doctor (you must see a doctor on tour if are to receive insurance medical benefits); etc.

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Safety Abroad
Check the Government's source for the most current travel warning and specific country information by using the following link.

Travel Warning & Consular Information sheets

Diplomatic post around the world

"Hot Spots" from Airsecurity.com

Money Belt:
For safety reasons we will always recommend you use a money belt. You can find these at stores that sell luggage. In your money belt you will place the majority of your money, a copy of your hotel list and perhaps your passport. You should always carry daily spending money in your front pocket. Women who carry purses with a zipper should use a safety pin to keep it closed. Hip or fanny packs are not recommended. They are the first things stolen or picked on a vacation. Since your hands are free from them you will not even feel someone take it.

Pickpockets:
Please avoid giving money to beggars and small children. They will slowly surround you and pick your pocket or hip pack. If you feel the need to give or donate money it leave at a church, there will be many of them around. Always remember to stick with your group or travel in pairs. Like animals, thieves usually pick out the strays. Sometimes, especially in places like Rome, Gypsies will surround you. The best thing to do is make a loud noise - scream. They hate the attention. If you wander on your own find out what parts of town the locals consider risky.

Leave your unnecessary valuables at home:
Don't take fancy or even fake jewelry abroad. You not only risk yourself but the whole group. It is not a beauty contest and by the third or fourth day you will know what kind of clothes everyone has brought along. Leave at home anything that will give you hardship if it is lost - mementos, charms, etc.

Carry your important items:
It is best to have your important items on you, especially money and your passport. It is always a great idea to have a copy of your hotel list with you at all times. It will come in handy if you choose to go shopping or wander on your own. If you get lost the best thing to do is go back to the hotel. Of course you will need a hotel list, your passport and some money. Many hotels are of the chain type so the key card and hotel matches will not show an address. Husbands should carry their own hotel list, passport and money because if they upset their wives she might leave him in that country. Without a passport, a hotel list and some money you will become a resident.

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Additional Expenses

Hotel accommodations, airfare, entrance fees to the attraction featured in the itinerary, most meals and tips to hotel personnel are included in the tour price. Additional expenses include (but are not limited to) optional excursions, additional meals, tips to the bus driver who takes you through your tour and to the tour director who takes care of you on tour, and souvenirs you are planning to buy. Please see the General Conditions found on the back of the tour vendors brochure or their website for more details.

Budgeting for your adventure:
The sky can be your limit or you can get away with paying less. Budgets will vary from person to person. With all planning it is better to be more conservative and take more. You can always bring your excess money back home. Plan about $12 for each lunch and $20 for each dinner not included in your package. While on tour you will be offered optional excursions, which will enhance your travel experience. Your final tour documents will list the cost of the excursions available on tour. It is best to bring enough money to cover these expenses even if you do not plan to participate on all of them.

Paying your way:
Always bring a few different sources to pay your way while traveling. Just in case one form of payment is not accepted or it is lost or stolen. The credit card is highly recommended. It is widely accepted (Discover card is only accepted in the United States) and normally gives you the best exchange rate overseas. Check with your credit card company if they charge an exchange fee (most credit card companies do not). You might also want to let them know you will be traveling and charges will be made outside your state. Otherwise you card may not work. The expiration date on your credit card must be good for at least 1 month after the date of your return. You might even consider taking two different cards and pack them separately.

You should always carry Travelers checks. There will be situations where you cannot use your charge card and will need foreign currency or cash. We have even seen credit cards locked up by the issuing bank. Travelers' checks are the safest way to carry money and very easily converted. If you lose them or they get stolen you can replace them. It is best to bring enough checks to cover the total cost of the meals not included and the optional excursions. When overseas all change received from a travelers check will be foreign currency. Keep in mind you want to use all your foreign currency before you return home. Foreign coins brought home are called "souvenirs." To avoid too many foreign coins vary your denominations of travelers' checks. Split your budget in thirds and bring $20, $50 and $100 accordingly. This way if your meal only cost $18 you will receive $2 back in foreign currency. Keep in mind there is usually a fee to cash each check (approx. $2). So if you are spending $100 you will want to have $100 travelers check (one fee) and not five $20 (5 fees).

ATM cards are becoming a very popular and convenient way to pay as you go. More and more countries have ATM machines. There are fees to use ATM's outside of your state. You should check with your bank for current charges. You do not want use the ATM for every small purchase because of the fee. At the same time you should not take out too much because each transaction is paid out in the current countries' currency. Keep in mind that using ATM cards do not replace credit cards or travelers checks. It is just another means for you to pay as you go.

ATM Locators:  American Express   Mastercard/Cirrus   VISA card

Single U.S. dollar bills are very handy. You should bring about $30 worth per person. Use them when you run out of foreign currency and are about to leave that country or for very small purchases (i.e. postcard or coffee). Except for $100 denominations (counterfeit problems), most merchants will take U.S. dollars. Also if you ever want to tip someone, it is much easier to do so with dollar bills.

Make your life easier by bringing a small pocket calculator. It does not have to be a fancy exchange type of calculator, just a simple one will do. It will come in handy when you are trying to convert foreign currency. You will be able to figure out the conversion rates by checking on signs at the hotel front desk or as you pass many banks while touring.

XE.Com currency converter

Shopping is really a personal thing. There are tons of places and things to buy. If you know what you are looking for you should check your local stores to get a good idea of prices. You will be surprised by how many overseas products you will find at home. When you buy items overseas they include a Value Added Tax (VAT), which may be refunded, if you take those goods out of the country. If you do not ship the items directly home you will need to show the purchased item to the VAT authority at the airport on your way back. In Switzerland you have to do it at the Swiss border. On a few rare occasions the VAT office could be closed or not available. Therefore do not consider the VAT refund as part of your cost. Think of it as a bonus.

If you plan to purchase videos while overseas you must purchase VHS or NTSC. Europe, the Orient and the South Pacific all use the PAL system that does not work in the United States.

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Planning Ahead

Sub Topics: Packing   Customs   Cameras   Electrical Items   Helpful planning links   Making your way to the airport

Packing:

Basic baggage and carry-on restrictions:
The best advice is "if in doubt, leave it out." Due to the limited capacity on the motor coach, we urge you to carry only one bag per person. This suitcase should not exceed 30" x 18" x 10" and should not be heavier then 60 pounds (check the vendors general condition at the back of their brochure or on their website). While on tour you have to handle your suitcase through airport customs and in your hotel room so keep it manageable. Porterage for this bag is included in the tour price.

Most tour vendors will furnish each client with a complimentary carry-on, which we recommend you take on the trip. It comes in handy even if you just use it for dirty laundry. The tour vendor's carry-on fits nicely in the overhead compartment on the bus which is smaller than a plane's overhead. Most vendors do not allow you to store carry-ons under the seat of the motor coach for emergency reasons. Carry-on bags should not exceed the dimensions of 17" x 14" x 8." Carry-ons with wheels are not suitable as hand luggage.

Getting the most out of your suitcase:
Traveling light is recommended. It is best to be flexible and mix and match. Keep in mind a tour is not a beauty contest, by the third or fourth day you already know what everyone has brought. If traveling during a cold period you might want to take a reversible jacket, because you spend so much time in your jacket people back home might think you didn't change clothes on tour. When you show them your pictures you are always in the same jacket.

The basic packing principle is to take more tops (about five) than shorts or slacks (three). Jean pants travel very well. If you travel often you might want to invest in hiking pants, which have a zipper right below the knees so they can be easily converted to shorts. Once you have most of your clothes packed we highly suggest you put undergarments and socks in every possible space left. Since we use these items daily the more you take, the less time you'll spend washing. Good walking shoes are a must. To make the most out of your shoes take a pair that can be used during the day and night.

Washing clothes while on tour:
Normally it is not easy to wash clothes while on tour. Either you are not in a city long enough to work with a Laundromat, you want to do sightseeing rather than wash your clothes, or the hotel cleaning service is very expensive, and after all, you are on vacation. In certain countries like China or Kenya having the hotel clean your clothes can be reasonably priced. You might want to carry some detergent for your undergarments and socks. To dry your clothes, squeeze them in a towel and leave the damp ones on the lampshade (never leave unattended or while sleeping). If you like to use a hanger bring a light metal one. Many hotels have hangers but they usually do not come out of the closet. A spot remover might also be useful.

A few things that you might find helpful to pack:
The following items are useful on tours: 2 credit cards, travelers checks, money belt, medication and prescriptions, toothbrush and toothpaste, alarm clock, electrical converter and adapter, sewing kit, compact flashlight, pocket-knife (pack it in your suitcase), washcloths (Europeans consider this personal in nature and therefore do not provide), hand sanitizer (i.e. Purell), binoculars, umbrella or poncho, windbreaker or jacket, some toilet seat covers and toilet paper.

Clothing requirements for touring:
You might want to take a nice evening outfit. On most tours formal clothes are not required but you might want to dress-up on a beautiful evening outing. Fancy dress is not even required to visit the London Theater. Keep in mind a large number of people will be formally dressed, but you do not have to. Suits are not necessary for men and if you do not own a sports coat please do not go out and buy one. A nice pullover sweater and tie is very smart looking. Women should leave high-heeled shoes at home. The streets abroad are uneven and not suited for these types of shoes. The only requirements for dress are for visiting churches and mosques. At these places of worship you are required to cover your shoulders and knees. Most mosques will provide cover-ups for tourists.

Plastic bags have made traveling simple. Using transparent Ziploc type bags for your medications, toiletries, and cosmetics makes items easy to find. Theses bags are simple to pack because they conform to space very well. They also come in handy for damp laundry and washcloths. Put toiletries in plastic cases and then in Ziploc bags for double protection against leaks. It is advisable to pack all your things in kitchen size rubbish bags inside your suitcase. This will protect your things from being wet if your luggage is left out in the rain or from getting dirty (especially when traveling to third world countries). You could also use the kitchen sized rubbish bag for your dirty laundry.

Preparing for the weather:
If you layer your clothes (t-shirt or polo shirt, sweater and jacket) and peel and un-peel as the daily weather changes you will always be prepared. You should always carry a travel poncho or compact umbrella. It is a good idea to check the weather right before your trip. You can get a general idea of weather condition but remember it is extremely difficult to accurately forecast the weather. It might be sunny one day and raining the next.

The Weather Channel (INTERNATIONAL)

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Customs:

What to expect at customs:
Tour participants are usually passed through customs in foreign countries without formality, but you must be prepared to open your baggage for inspection at any time. Keep in mind that all snacks and candies are considered food (especially in Australia). Be prepared to itemize your currency, travelers checks, alcohol, tobacco products and film, and answer all questions truthfully. Generally there are no objections to reasonable amounts of any item for personal use.

Any foreign made articles that you purchased on a previous trip or in the U.S., such as cameras, watches or jewelry, should be registered with U.S. Customs (or carry a receipt). While it is rare, they could be subject to duty on your return. In other words, you must prove prior possession.

On your return flight to the United States you will clear customs at your port of entry. The stewardess will distribute Customs declaration forms for you to complete. For this purpose, it is a good idea to keep a record of your purchases. For more information on Customs and a list of what you can take and bring home click on the link below.

U.S. Customs Traveler Information

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Cameras:

Pictures often spark wonderful memories of past trips. Since pictures can be an important part of your journey take a few disposable cameras as spares. There are many scenes that only a panoramic camera can capture perfectly. If your current camera does not take panoramic pictures we suggest you purchase a disposable "Advantix" type. These cameras take panoramic as well as 4" x 7" photos. You can find them at Walmart.

If you are considering buying a camera for your trip we suggest a light compact one. Buy it at least several weeks before you leave so you will have time to become accustomed to it and to make sure it is working properly.

Take plenty of film and spare batteries; it is usually more expensive overseas. Buy rolls with the most exposures of your film size and highest speeds to save space. If you take a digital camera, especially one of the newer models, take as many memory cards as you will need, for it may not be available abroad. And remember; never leave your camera in your hotel room. Do not pack your film in your suitcase. Carry it with you and ask security to hand inspect it. Luggage travels through a number of x-ray machines, which are damaging to film. Even the film in your camera will be ruined so either use up all your film or carry the camera in your carry-on bag.

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Electrical Items:

When traveling abroad keep in mind that the majority of international destinations use 220 volts. In the United States, Canada and Mexico we use 110 currents, therefore you will need to have a "converter" if you plan to use electrical items overseas. If at all possible avoid using electric items (i.e. electronic toothbrushes) because converters are never full proof. Since we are reducing the current any surge of electricity will damage our product. You will also need to purchase an outlet adapter for different countries. You can find converters and adapters in shops where luggage is sold.

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Helpful Planning links:

The following are a few links that can help you plan your journey and help you learn more about your destination.

Lonely Planet

RefDesk.com

Maps: www.mapquest.com or www.mapblast.com

Theater tickets in New York City

Translation dictionaries online

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Making your way to the airport:

Get to the airport a few hours early. With today's high security it is best that you do so. For international flights you need to be there at the very least two hours before departure. Be sure to have your bags checked all the way to your final destination. Remember to bring your passport and/or proper picture identification. Always carry some money, your I.D. and a hotel list with you throughout the tour.

Before Departure:
Stop mail and newspaper deliveries or you will be up to your eyeballs in both. Arrange for the care of Fido the dog, Figaro the cat and all your plants. Turn off the gas and water, and disconnect all electrical appliances, especially the television set. Buy a timer in a local hardware store and arrange a lamp in a strategic place to be turned on and off at different times of the day. At most hardware stores you can find timers that can be set for up to three different times a day. Make sure everything is locked. Leave a set of house and car keys plus an itinerary with a relative or trusted friend. It is also a good idea to make sure your insurance policies are up to date.

Baggage Tags:
Each vendor supplies you with one or two baggage tags. These tags should be on your luggage before you arrive at the gateway city. Before you head to the airport be sure to have them on. If you forget to put these vendor tags on, you can find your bags at the lost luggage area of the hotel. Most tour vendors have block room space. Since you are not at the hotel for more than one or two nights your name is not listed in the hotel main registration system. Therefore bellmen are not able to look you up by your name only by your tour code on your vendor tag.

Always have your name, address and hotel list inside your suitcase. Quite often bags are lost en route because your baggage tag has fallen off. The airline and vendor will open your suitcase. If they cannot identify your bag it will be lost forever. If your suitcase is lost without a hotel list most likely your luggage will be returned home.

Earning Airline Mileage:
Keep track of your boarding passes for mileage credit. If for some reason you did not receive credit from the airlines you may need to show your boarding passes (you have the original and no one else has a copy) and a your airline ticket receipt. You will only have three months to claim mileage credit so check your credit a few days after you return from your journey by calling the airline toll free numbers.

Keeping in touch with home:
It is very important that you leave a hotel list at home with someone who might need to keep in touch with you while on tour. Note the time difference on the list and tell them to call you when it is late at night. This will ensure you are in your hotel room and not "painting the town pink." Your family should only call you if it is an emergency because it is difficult to find tour members (have them refer to the vendor's name and tour number). There is always a charge when calling overseas because the hotel front desk will answer the phone and take about 5 minutes to find you even if you are not there. The best advice is "no news is good news." If you want to keep in contact with home you should call from time to time. Only buy a "calling card" if you plan to use it immediately since most calling cards only work for a specific country. Purchase a "calling card" for a local tobacco or gift shop and call from a public phone in the same country. If you take an AT&T guide you can reach an English-speaking operator from just about anywhere in the world. Hotels do charge high fees for calling from you room. Local times around the world

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