Useful Information

Please double check that you have adequate travel insurance and a valid passport before leaving home. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the completion of your travels. We strongly advise that you look into the visa requirements for the country you are visiting well in advance of your departure date. You can check what visas are required for your holiday with your local consulate/s.

We recommend you keep a copy of the itinerary with you at all times and leave a copy with your relatives or friends. The telephone number of a family member or friend who could be contacted in the unlikely event of an emergency should be left with your travel agent.

Please do not keep money, important documents, medicines and jewellery in your suitcase. You should carry such items with you, but not in the same place in the unlikely event of pick-pocketing. We recommend that you leave valuables at home and that you wear a ‘money belt’ while touring. On departure from hotels, check that you have all your personal belongings with you and that you have collected any items deposited in a safe deposit box.

At all times, please be as vigilant as you would be in any major city, especially in crowded places such as subways, squares or tourist attractions. Never leave your hand luggage unattended or out of sight in public areas, including airports, railway stations, hotel lobbies and dining rooms.

Keep a separate list of important numbers (passport, credit cards) in your luggage, together with photocopies of airline tickets and your passports.

Europe uses 24-hour clock (omitting a.m. and p.m.), e.g. 15.30 = 3:30 p.m. You will find that the dates, however, are written similar to Australia and New Zealand, e.g. 15th August = 15/08.

Voltage is mostly 220V, 50-cycle alternating current. Electrical outlets are round, two-pin. Before leaving home, you will need to purchase an international adapter so your plug will connect to the local electrical outlets. Adapter kits can be purchased before leaving home at most electrical stores.

Please be advised that tipping is customary in Europe. Please make a note of the below suggestions, so that you can budget accordingly.

Approximate per person:

• Tour Director: EUR 5 per person, per day
• Bus Driver: EUR 2- 3 per person, per day
• Local guide: EUR 2-3 per half day of sightseeing per person, per day
• Restaurants & Cafes: If not included, rounding up the bill is customary (i.e. if EUR56, pay EUR60) but should be about 10%, depending on the quality of service. Restaurants in Europe often include a service charge which is often not gratuity for the staff.
• Taxis: Tip up to 10% of the fare. We recommend you book taxis via your hotel reception and pre-negotiate taxi fares.
• Tips are also given to hotel room attendants, hairdressers, and other places of service such as spas.

You will encounter uneven surfaces in many places, so please take care and watch your step. Due to the structure of old buildings, access to some establishments may not be suitable for wheelchairs, and facilities for the disabled may be limited. Many streets are cobblestone where rubber-soled walking shoes are highly recommended. We suggest that you wear a sunhat or cap, sunglasses and loose-fitting clothing and drink at least one litre of water a day.

If you travel with an open mind and respect local customs and culture, you should find it easy to adapt to your new surroundings.

• Sometimes there is a small charge for public toilets
• Stores often close earlier and may not be open on Sundays
• Europeans tend to dine later and are less sensitive to smoking in restaurants, bars and public places
• Pts are often allowed in hotels and restaurants
• You may not find air-conditioning everywhere, including hotels, and can be strictly regulated due to environmental reasons
• Drinking bottled water is recommended and is readily available for purchase
• Take caution when purchasing street fare from local food stands
• Photography and filming is generally permitted, except at international borders. However, there may be certain restrictions or a charge for their use in museums, churches, palaces.