Travel tips from Going Places

Christine Pelham offers these valuable tips

PASSPORTS NEED TO BE VALID FOR 6 MONTHS AFTER YOUR RETURN!

• Copies of all passport first pages should be carried by someone in the group.
• No Visas needed for US citizens on this tour. If not US, check with consulates.

SUITCASE SIZE – 1 free checked under 50 lbs. Linear measurements under 62″ (around)

CARRY-ONS –     1 piece per person, 21.6 x 15.7 x 7.8 weighing less than 17.6 lbs plus small laptop or purse, jacket, camera allowed

MONEY BELT – an excellent way to carry important items around with you

LIQUIDS IN CARRY-ON – www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/3-1-1-liquids-rule

EYEGLASSES & Contacts lenses – bring extra. Consider taking out contacts for flights.

CURRENCIES

• Hungary – Forint – 1000 HUF = $4 approx; $1 = 272 HUF
• Slovakia and Austria – Euro – €100 = $112 approx; $1 = €.90
• Czech Republic – Koruna – 100CZK = $4: $1 = 24 CZK

CREDIT CARDS – Easiest way to obtain currency is to use your debit card but please notify the bank before you leave, tell them where you going and make sure your pin number will work overseas.

TRIP PROTECTION COVERAGE – because of the custom nature of these trip, all payments are now non-refundable. We have had success using ALLIANZ.  Our group is F203525. Cover for whole cost $3,500

JET LAG – I have used NO JET LAG Homeopathic pills or Melatonin

HEALTH – It has been recommended to take baby aspirin a few days before your flights.  Also wearing compression hose is helpful in preventing DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)

• Dehydration – please drink! (water preferably)
• Any special dietary restrictions? (I know we have 1 gluten free)

MEALS – all breakfasts included and dinners as the itinerary indicates.  Otherwise allow $10-15+ for lunch and $30-40+ for dinners??

TIPPING – Ask if it is included first.

• Hungary- if not included tip 10%
• Slovakia – round up or 10%
• Austria- 5-10%
• Czech Rep – tip included by law but round up for good service to 10%

BAG TAGS – I will have bag tags (large blue) to hand out. One each for checked bags.

HAND SANITIZERS – to share when hand washing is difficult. But wash hands often.

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES – the rest of the world uses 220 volts so we need adapters and plugs with 2 small round prongs. Some newer appliances, laptops have both 110 and 220v

24 HOUR CLOCK – widely used in Europe. Just add 12 for pm times. e.g. 2pm = 1400

TIME DIFFERENCE – 6 hours from East Coast time

TIPS FOR GUIDES, DRIVERS  – I do not include these in the tour price as I like them to reflect how well you think your tour manager, guides, drivers work for you.

Suggested tips IF you are pleased- tour manager $5-10 per person per day; driver $3-$5 per person per day; step on guides $1-$2 per person (local currency) Porters – $1 -$2 per bag preferably in local currency

PHONES – availability varies with different providers. Check with yours to make sure you have overseas calling options. Or rent a prepaid phone over there. Or use an international SIM card in your unlocked phone. Try not to use the hotel phones as their rates are highest.

LANGUAGE – Hungarian and Czech are hard but German is widely spoken (some English too)

• Please – Bitte
• Thank You – Danke
• You are Welcome – Bitte
• Yes – Ja
• No – Nein
• Good Day – Guten Tag
• GoodBye – Auf Wiedersehen
• How Much ?  – Wieviel?
• Where is the toilet? Wo ist die Toilette?
• Men – Herren
• Women – Damen