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Celebrating 25 Years |
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| Getting ready to go A little pre-planning can make your trip go a lot smoother. At least a week or two before your trip, make a list of what you'll need to take with you. Make sure your passports are current and that you have enough prescription medications to last through the trip. The following general information and the country-specific facts will help you prepare for a comfortable, hassle-free journey. |
| Your Travel Documents When you receive your travel documents from FIT Tours for an escorted motorcoach tour, you will also receive a blue FIT Tours luggage tags. Attach the luggage tags to your bag for extra security and to assist our local representative in identifying your luggage as you travel. |
| Quick Checklist Here's a quick reminder of things you should do before you leave for an extended trip. Stop routine services such as mail, trash collection, paper deliveries Check thermostat in your home Set-up lights on timers so your home isn't dark Leave keys to house and car with a friend or neighbor Check to see that no important bills are due while you're away (such as insurance premiums) Lock windows, doors and set alarm system Make sure you have a valid driver's license, passports and visas It's a good idea to take a battery-operated travel alarm clock with you If you take prescription medication, be sure you have enough for the trip If you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, it's a good idea to have an extra pair Be sure you have enough money, travelers check, and a valid credit card Note the limit on your credit card(s) - in some countries it is against the law to exceed your credit card limit Check with your health care provider regarding terms and conditions of coverage overseas Leave a copy of your itinerary with your family in case they need to reach you |
| Passports and Visas All U.S. citizens must carry a valid passport while traveling abroad. Visas are also required in some countries. Please check the information on this website for the specific country/region you are visiting for more details. Passengers who are not U.S. citizens must check with the representative consulate or a visa agency to determine if a visa is required. Passport applications are available at most U.S. Post Offices, as well as at regional Passport Agencies. |
| Packing Pack lightly. Choose clothing that is "wrinkle-resistant" and can be layered as the temperature changes. Medications, eyeglasses and anything that you cannot possibly live without should be packed in a carry-on bag. To avoid problems passing through customs, keep medications in their original labeled containers. Make sure you have luggage tags for each suitcase. Place your name and your destination address in a visible place inside each suitcase. |
| Jet Lag The tired, hazy feeling known as jet lag is caused not only by changing time zones, but also by spending an extended period of time inside an airplane, where the air is very dry and the pressure can cause lethargy and even swelling of the arms, legs, hands and feet. Here are some things that can help reduce the effects of jet lag.
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| Currency We suggest getting a small amount of currency for the first country you are visiting before you leave the U.S. Once you are abroad, exchange your money or travelers check at banks (the rate is more favorable than at hotels or exchange bureaus.) It is a good idea to carry a chart with you to help you convert U.S. dollars to the local currency. It's also a good idea not to carry too much money. Many countries also have ATM machines that accept most U.S. ATM cards, but be sure you know your ATM password in numbers - the keypads on foreign ATMs do not always have letters. |
| Arrival Procedures If your program includes airport arrival transfers, you will be met by our local representative just after you pass through customs or at the baggage claim area. Look for someone holding a FIT Tours sign. Please wear your name badge to help our representative find you. Travelers arriving by train will be met at the platform. If you do not see someone with a FIT Tours sign, go to the Tourist Information Desk and ask them to page the FIT Tours representative. |
| Accommodations FIT Tours has carefully selected each hotel based on overall quality, location, food, service and cleanliness. All rooms are standard twin-bedded rooms with private facilities, unless you have specifically requested and paid for an upgrade. Room selection is strictly at the discretion of the hotel management. We reserve the right to make hotel substitutions with those of equal standards. |
| Guaranteed Share Program If you are traveling alone and you would like someone to share the cost of a room - and to share the fun - FIT Tours will endeavor to find you a roommate of the same gender on selected programs. Please let us know in advance if you would like to pair up with a traveling companion. If, once on the trip, you decide that the share program is not for you, FIT Tours will make every effort to find you a suitable single room. However, you will be responsible for covering the incremental expenses. |
| Meals and Dietary Restrictions If you have any dietary restrictions, please advise FIT Tours in advance and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs. Please understand, however, that we cannot guarantee the compliance of the hotels and restaurants where you will be dining. Meals are provided in accordance with the particular package you've purchased. In general, beverages are not included with meals (although there are some exceptions). The dinners included in tour packages are based on set menus. We will endeavor to provide an alternate main course if so requested. |
| Shopping Shopping in a foreign country can be a wonderful experience. You may find fantastic, one-of-a-kind merchandise. You may get terrific bargains. However, we advise you to exercise care and common sense when making any purchase. Always get a formal receipt. And remember that, just like in this country, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is! FIT Tours does not recommend nor guarantee any particular shops or merchants, even though the bus stopped there and the tour escort may have given their own personal endorsement. |
| Touring Group Sizes Although we cannot guarantee the number of passengers who will be on any given tour due to last minute bookings and/or cancellations, you may find that you are traveling with a sizable group or only with your own companions. However, we assure that the services will remain consistent no matter the number of tour participants. You may also find that the number of passengers may vary during the tour, as FIT Tours accommodates travelers arriving on different airlines and on different days of the week. Daily seat rotation and a strict non-smoking policy contribute to your comfort. |
| Safety Every effort has been taken by FIT Tours to ensure your safety. However, it is important that you not allow your common sense to take a vacation while you're on your trip. Be aware of potentially dangerous places and situations as you would at home. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry and carry your valuables concealed in inside pockets or hidden pouches. Don't put all your valuables (money, credit cards, passports, etc.) in the same place. (In case that one wallet is stolen, you should have other valuables and identification in another safe place.) Don't leave valuables laying loose in your room - use the hotel safe. Keep copies of your passports, credit card numbers and travelers check numbers in the hotel safe. Your travel documents include telephone numbers of local FIT Tours representatives who will do their utmost to assist you in the event of an emergency. The numbers are printed on your FIT Tours vouchers. Please copy the numbers. Once you relinquish the voucher, you will not have this information. |
| Departure Procedures If your program includes departure transfers, instruction will be provided locally. |
| Cruise Embarkation You are requested to board ship at least one hour and not more than three hours prior to departure. |
| Hotel Check-In / Check-Out Check-in time is usually 4:00 p.m. or later. Check-out time is noon. If you will be arriving early in the day or departing in the evening, hotels will usually allow you to store your luggage in their luggage room. |
| Amendments to Original Itinerary Cancelled services will be subject to an administrative processing fee plus any expenses imposed by suppliers as a result of the changes. Request for refunds or adjustments must be submitted in writing and received no later than thirty days after the last service rendered. A written statement by local representatives may facilitate your claim. Please allow six to eight weeks for processing of your claim. There will be no refunds for unused tour services or features. Should you wish to add or change services after the departure from the USA, you must pay directly to the service provider such as the hotel or airline, not to FIT Tours. The cost of any changes or additions will be at the local rate at the time of the amendment, not per the FIT Tours brochure, and must be borne by you. It is your responsibility to arrive on time for all scheduled flights, cruises, trains, and package components (e.g. sightseeing tours, hotels, meals, entertainment programs, etc.). Arriving late for your flight, cruise or scheduled program may be considered a "no-show," in which case you will not be eligible for any refund for the unused services. |
| Pre -Purchased Services Your document packet will include a voucher, and/or airline ticket, rail ticket, cruise ticket, for all services which have been booked through and pre-paid to FIT Tours. Should you be requested to pay for any portion of the services which have already been pre-paid, please follow these procedures: 1. Pay as requested AIR FLIGHTS: AIRLINE TICKETS: LUGGAGE: TRAVEL INSURANCE: TRANSFERS: |
| Health Information Inoculations are not necessary for most FIT Tours itineraries. It is best to check with your personal physician and for the latest travel health information, call the Center for Disease Control's travelers hotline at 404-332-4559. Or visit www.cdc.gov. |
Tipping |
| Electricity The following countries use 220 voltage: France, Italy, Spain, Central Europe, Greece and the Greek Islands, Turkey, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, China, Thailand, India, Morocco, Vietnam, Bolivia, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru. Brazil's voltage is 110, however some hotels operate on 220. Countries using 240 voltage are: Australia, New Zealand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Ireland and Africa. The U.S. uses 120 volts. You can purchase a converter at most hardware stores. |