Most group tours allow one suitcase and one carry on and there is really no need for more. If you tr

Carry your passport with you at all times to ensure against loss or theft in hotels.Check the expiration date of your passport to be sure that it does not expire in the middle of your tour. For added protection, make two copies of the page with your photo and details. Leave one copy with family or friends, take the other one with you (not together with the passport), the copy will help you to get a new one quickly at the US embassy if lost or stolen. Most of the countries we travel to do not require a visa for visits up to 90 days, but please verify with us or with your group leader. We will provide you with information on how you can get a visa (if needed).
Casual and comfortable, but appropriate for the holy places if included in your tour. Sleeveless shirts and shorts are not permitted in most holy places. Take clothes which can be layered over each other. Comfortable walking shoes (sneakers) are your best bet. What you bring will depend a great deal on what time of year you visit. The summer months will be hot nearly everywhere, but do bring a raincoat and umbrella. Visits in the winter, fall, and spring require warm clothing and boots. Pack light. The fewer items you bring with you the more you will be able to carry home. If your tour includes a cruise, bring something more formal for dinner.
Most group tours allow one suitcase and one carry on and there is really no need for more. If you travel individually most airlines accept two pieces of luggage, neither of which can exceed 62 inches (length + width + height), or weigh more than 70 pounds, so be sure to check with the carrier or your travel agent before you depart.
Electrical currents vary abroad. Voltage in the Eastern Mediterranean and Europe is 220V, not 110V as in the USA. Most hotels have built in converters in the room, but please obtain (from any hardware store) a universal electric travel adapter before you go.
Carry cash in small bills (up to $20.00) for souvenirs, snacks, etc. Traveler s checks and Eurocheques are a good protection and are widely accepted, as are most major credit cards. ATM s are widely available. Traveler s checks and currency (exchange rates vary day to day), can be changed at airports, your hotel, a local bank, and at Bureau de Change locations throughout Europe. The majority of better restaurants, shops, hotels, theaters, etc., in Europe and Eastern Mediterranean countries accept most major cards. You will be charged in local currency, then converted to U.S. dollars and billed to you the usual way. American Express, Diner s Club, Visa and MasterCard can also be used to obtain cash.
Almost all hotels will add a service charge to the cost of any calls you make from your room. This charge can be high, especially for international calls. It is always cheaper to use local phone cards. You can purchase them in any country.
Travelers are advised to obtain insurance before their journey to cover possible trip cancellation, health care and hospital expenses as well as lost luggage . Click here to view an optional policy offered by Travelex one of America s leading travel insurance companies.
Please do not bring back with you fresh produce (fruits, etc.) as USA Agriculture Department prohibits it. Souvenirs and gifts are duty-free up to $800, as long as you have been out of the country for a least 48 hours, and you haven t made an international trip in 30 days. Each member of the family is entitled to the same exemption regardless of age, and exemptions may be pooled. For the next $1,000 worth of goods, a flat 10% rate is assessed; above $1,400, duties vary with the merchandise.
D.- If your group is of a religious nature, your host is your spiritual leader. He or she will guide you spiritually during this tour, so that your experience will be one you remember for a lifetime.