GENERAL TRAVEL TIPS

1. Passports: The most important reminder is that you must be in possession of a valid passport for this trip. In the spring, you still have time, but remember the summer is a busy time in passport offices so if you don't have one or if it is not currently valid, please arrange to update your passport NOW. Make sure your correct name is on it and do not use nicknames, abbreviations or initials.

2. CREDIT CARDS: Take your major credit cards, such as, Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Make sure they are really credit cards and not just debit cards with a credit card company's logo on them. Many locations require a credit card and will not accept a debit card. so they may have limited use on your travel.

Leave your local store credit cards in a secure location at home; there will be no need to carry them with you.

Notify your credit card company of your trip. They may deny your purchases if they are unaware you are traveling. The unfamiliar spending patterns might cause them to suspect that the card is being used fraudulently and delay your approval.

They will also be able to explain many of the services that they can provide while you are on your trip.

3. ELECTRIC CURRENT: Remember that current in other countries may not equivalent to ours. So if you wish to take any appliances with you such as hair dryers, electric shavers, etc. you must purchase a converter which both changes the current for you and also fits what for us are very different plug sizes. Most hotels for instance, provide hair dryers but you cannot be certain. Also please note that many accommodations in Britain turn off the heat between the hours of 10 PM and 6 AM so if you are traveling in the cooler seasons, please take warm pajamas.

4. LUGGAGE LIMITS: Please remember that you are allowed 1 carry-on piece of luggage/person. Only 1 piece/person is covered for porterage on escorted tours. There will not be room for extra. Please pack efficiently. Also be advised that many airlines now have limits for carry-on luggage. Check with the particular airline we are flying for overall dimensions and the weight of your checked luggage as well as your carry-on. Please heed this warning, as you will be forced to check the bag if the requirements aren't met even if it contains valuables and medicine. See that your checked luggage is locked in a way that it can be opened briefly by security. Straps are highly recommended as well as luggage tape to prevent theft.

5. CLIMATE: As many of you may already know, the climate in Europe varies from sunny and warm to heavy rain any time of the year and in any location. I always travel with a raincoat, which packs up into a small bundle, which I can carry around easily. I also travel with a folding umbrella, which is essential. Other than rain gear, my best recommendation is to bring comfortable clothing, good walking shoes and sweaters if you are often cold. The layered casual look is the best but casual slacks are preferable to jeans!!! You may want to dress up a bit for dinner, but generally the look is casual and comfortable. I also travel with slip on boots, which have protected my shoes in rainstorms an also take up very little space in luggage.

6. PERSONAL SECURITY: In general you will be quite safe traveling abroad, but you should always exercise caution when traveling anywhere. Hotel security is generally good but I always travel with a hotel door lock, which prevents entry by anyone when you re inside. . If you do purchase a lock, always keep your luggage locked when you are not in your room.

7. A FEW EXTRAS!!! WASHCLOTHS If you cannot live without a washcloth, please bring one with you. Few hotels will provide them. It's a creature comfort many of us just require. ALARM CLOCKS Most hotels will have wake up calls for you but a backup alarm is always a good idea.

8. FITNESS: Be forewarned that within reason, the better your stats of fitness during the trip, the greater will be your enjoyment. No, we don't want you to climb Mt. Everest, but for your own good, we highly recommend you increasing your daily dose of exercise so you are well prepared for a lot of great sightseeing. Just an extra walk occasionally will go a long way to making the tour more fun and much less exhausting. Walk, bicycle, run, swim, whatever, you like to do. It helps a lot believe me...

9. TIPPING: Although tipping is not compulsory, for the driver and guide we recommend one pound/day/person. In general, when meals are included, tipping is unnecessary. On your own, the 10-15% rule applies.

PACKING TIPS

 1. Travel Light! What you pack determines the weight of your luggage. The weight of your suitcase should depend on how strong you are. Porterage takes ONE suitcase from the bus to the hotel lobby. You take it to your room. Not all hotels may have elevators. Pack only what YOU can carry.

 2. Take one suitcase and one carryon! After you have packed, look at everything and ask yourself, "Do I really need it?" You basically need comfortable casual clothes when traveling. Add one nice suit or outfit for dinner or going to a show. Three tops to one bottom should work. If you need to you can wash and dry things over night provided the fabric will dry by morning.

 3. You can have one basic look - urban, chic, sporty casual, etc. and build around it. Pack items that are lightweight, wrinkle resistant, compact, and washable.

4. Don't bring valuable jewelry or anything that is valuable. Leave at home anything you especially do not want to lose.

 5. Sunglasses, a hat and sunblock are essential. A small umbrella might come in handy. Pack a pair of binoculars for sightseeing and to get a good look at painted ceilings and domes.

 6. Take your own soap and washcloths... just in case.

 7. Make sure you have all travel documents before leaving home. Passport, tickets, etc.

 8. Money: The best and cheapest way to buy local currency is with your bank, ATM card or credit cards, never exchange currency at the airport, unless you really have to.

 9. Make sure your luggage is clearly labeled.

10. Shoes: Comfortable walking shoes are a must.

11. Plenty of film and batteries. Buy these at home.

12. Remember to cancel paper, have post office hold mail, let neighbors and Police know you will be away.

 13. There are all sorts of voltages and weird plugs used around the world. Don't assume you can just plug in your laptop wherever you go. Before you go, check your laptop's documentation. Most automatically accommodate various voltages and electrical frequencies. If so. all you need is an adapter for the plug. If your laptop only handles U. S. electrical systems, you'll need a converter. you'll still need the adapter, too.  ( Editor's note: Hair dryers, curling irons, etc. may also need a converter.)  It is also a good idea to take a surge suppressor along. Power surges can be very wearing on your computer. If you're unsure what you're going to need, check the World Electric Guide at http://kropla.com/electric.htm.

14. Record your passport number and credit card numbers in case you lose them. Make 2 photo copies: 1 for our suitcase and one to leave at home.

 15. If you do take travelers cheques, and you are visiting more than one European country, you should get Euro Cheques, the new common currency of Europe.

 16. It is recommended that you get Travel Insurance which is relatively cheap. Why do we recommend travel Insurance? a. Many bags are getting lost or delayed. Tb. here are more travel delays. c. We never plan on getting sick or having an accident, and I  hope you don't. But if you do, medical costs abroad can be costly.