Passport Information
Passports are required by all United States citizens to visit Europe. If you are a citizen of a country other than the United States please contact your embassy for documentation requirements to leave and reenter the United States. Please make two copies of your passport. One to leave at home and one bring to bring with you. Visit the State Departments Website for more information.
Travel and Health Insurance**
We recommend you consider the purchase of travel insurance and to check with your health insurance provider to confirm coverage while abroad. If it does not you should consider purchasing short-term comprehensive emergency insurance. The following companies offer these services: TravelGuard, Access America, CSA Travel Protection, International SOS, Worldwide Assistance
Packing
We cannot express this more-PACK LIGHT. Lay out everything you think you will need for your trip and take away a third of it. It is not fun schlepping through airports and train stations with luggage that weighs more than you. Bring clothes you can layer, mix-n-match, and above all bring comfortable shoes. We also recommend packing a small travel umbrella.
Tour Clients: We do quite a bit a walking and in Tuscany they are called “Hill Towns” for a reason. Areas can be steep, uneven and made of cobblestone. We do not provide luggage handling and you will be required to transfer your luggage to and from the airport, bus, train station, and hotel. Please consider limiting your luggage to one suitcase (preferably carry-on size with wheels) and one backpack or purse.
Day Bag: Bring a small backpack or purse that is comfortable and large enough to hold your guide book, camera, and umbrella, and bottle of water. A money belt is recommended for your money, passports, and credit cards.
Laundry: Doing laundry in Europe is easy and can be a fun way to meet fellow travelers.
TSA: Please review and follow all TSA rules and regulations regarding what you can and cannot bring on board an airplane. European airports adhere to similar rules. Please visit the TSA Website for more information.
Dress Code
Please keep in mind that many of the churches in Europe and the Vatican enforce a strict dress code. No shorts, short skirts, or bare shoulders. Europeans tend to be a bit dressier than Americans though jeans are becoming more common.
Currency
Most countries have adopted the Euro making travel even easier. Britain, Denmark, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and a few other countries have not and you will need to use their local currency while traveling there. For our tours only Euros are necessary.
Money Matters
Bring enough currency to cover your first couple of days in Europe. You will find the best exchange rate typically by using your credit or debit card. ATM’s can be found most everywhere. Credit cards are widely accepted with Visa and MasterCard most commonly so. We strongly recommend contacting your bank and credit card companies regarding their fees for international purchases and to notify them that you will be using your card(s) in Europe.
Medications and Prescriptions
For prescription drugs and glasses bring a copy of your prescription.
Electricity
Voltage throughout Europe is 220V (US is 110V). You will need adaptors and possibly a converter if your appliance does not have a switch. Different countries require different adaptors so buy a kit that includes a variety.
Cell Phone and Internet
Contact your cell phone subscriber to find if they offer an international package for purchase during your travel dates. Roaming charges add up so turn off your data services when not in use. Internet cafes can be found most anywhere in Europe and charge a minimal fee.
Jet Lag
It is a long flight over with a 6-9 hour time difference. You are going to be tired the first day, but fight the urge to take a nap. When you board the plane set your watch to the time zone you are traveling to. Eat dinner then sleep if you can. Drink plenty of water but avoid coffee or an excess of alcohol. Upon arrival check into your hotel, take a shower, then hit the sites and try to stay awake till 8-9pm. If you do this the next day you will be right back on schedule.
Language
Most Europeans speak English, but do not take advantage of this. Take the time to be courteous and learn few basic words; “please”, “thank-you”, “check please” and numbers 1-10. If we need something specific, such as a train ticket, we will write out what we need in the local language to hand to the agent. We have found that at least attempting to speak the language goes a long way in gaining assistance.
Guide Books
Our go-to guides are Rick Steve’s. His books are easy to read, have great recommendations, and good maps. Instead of carrying a heavy guide book tear out the pages you need and discard them along the way. We also recommend the “Streetwise” maps.
Tour Clients: We will be providing a travel packet that will include a map, top sites, and history for each city, but a guide books is still recommended.
City Names
Please note that the English version of a city name may differ. I.E. Florence is Firenza, Venice is Venezia, Naples is Napoli, Vienna is Wien.
Safety
We have found Europe to be quite safe, but be smart. Thieves are on the look-out for tourists so always be aware of your surroundings, and carry cash, passports, and credit cards in a money belt under your clothes. We encourage you to always be aware of and report anything suspicious just as you would at home.
Have Fun
Most of all take time to enjoy your trip! Promise yourself you will back some day, find a café and sit down for an espresso or glass of wine. Talk to locals, become lost in each destination away from the tourist crowds, and remember you are on vacation.
**Travels to Europe offers the above as advice only. The purchase of insurance and from whom is completely at the sole discretion of the client. We recommend you contact your insurance providers to receive more accurate information. We are not responsible for any injuries or cancellations incurred that are beyond our control. When purchasing additional insurance please read all information and fine print carefully. Travels To Europe assumes no responsibility if policy is not completely read and understood by the client.
