Travel Tips

Most people enjoy bringing home at least one souvenir from the countries they visit. However, some find any amount of shopping to be too much while others never find enough opportunities. We have built into our itinerary a few shopping stops. These stops are designed to enhance your experience by providing an opportunity to see first-hand quality locally-crafted merchandise which you may not be able to find alone. In some cases, we plan these stops to provide an opportunity to use clean bathrooms and to stretch your legs. While shopping independently, we advise you to exercise care when making any purchase. Always get a formal receipt. And remember that if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is!

Please check in at least three hours prior to the scheduled departure time for international flights and two hours prior for domestic flights. Many airlines do not permit check-in less than one hour prior to the scheduled departure time.

Although problems with lost luggage have been minimal, it is a possibility. When you check your luggage, please verify where your luggage is being sent.

Avoiding Jet Lag
In order to minimize fatigue and general restlessness caused by jet lag, here are a few steps you may take:

• switching to your destination time zone when you board the plane

• sleeping and eating according to the new schedule

• avoiding heavy eating, caffeine or alcoholic beverages before or during your flight

• drink plenty of water and/or fruit juice while flying. Try to sleep on overnight flights.

What To Do If Your Flight Is Delayed
Airlines do not share flight manifest information. Therefore, the only way we may learn of a delay or schedule change while you are traveling is from you, the traveler. The sooner you are able to contact us, the better we can respond.

All travelers should familiarize themselves with local conditions, such as high altitude or required immunizations, which could affect their health. We recommend you consult with your personal health-care provider, the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov) and/or the World Health Organization (www.who.int/en/ ) for their recommendations.
There are several easy steps you can take to stay healthy while traveling which may help prevent contracting an illness while away from home.

• Watch what you eat. Try new foods in modest quantities

• Stay hydrated. Drink bottled water.

• If you have allergies to foods, medications or insect bites, or have any other unique medical issues, consider a physician's note detailing required treatment should you become ill.

• Wash your hands regularly and carry hand sanitizer.

• Pack sunscreen

• You may also want to bring a small first-aid kit with Band-Aids, antibiotic cream, pain killers, bug bite cream, digestive aids like antidiarrheal or anti-bloat medications, antacids, and cold medicine. This is in addition to any prescription medications which should be adequate for the entire trip.

Your safety is important, here are several tips which to follow:

• Be aware of potentially dangerous places and situations as you would in your home country.

• Avoid wearing expensive jewelry and carry your valuables concealed inside pockets or hidden pouches. Your objective is to avoid drawing attention and to blend in with the crowd

• Don't put all your valuables (money, credit cards, passports, etc.) in the same place (in case one is stolen, you should have other valuables and identification in another safe place)

• Do not leave valuables laying loose in your room. Use the hotel’s safe

• Credit cards are generally accepted everywhere and are safer than traveling with large amounts of cash

• Do not pack valuables (cameras, computers, jewelry, etc.) in your checked luggage. Keep hard-to-replace valuables with you in your carry-on bag

• Keep wallets safely tucked into front trouser pockets and/or wear a money pouch

• Carry handbags close to your body and shoulder bags the cross-body method with the bag in front of your body.

• Remain alert and cautious. Be wary of any unusual contact or commotion in crowded public places

• Be especially careful when traveling independently or leaving the group to explore on your own. Try not to travel alone, especially at night

• Use only official taxis and check the change you receive from all taxi drivers and vendors

• Beware of pickpockets

• Beware of aggressive street vendors who may approach you offering a demonstration which may end with you being pressured to purchase an item

• Don't tip beggars

• Wear the shoulder strap of your bag across your chest

• Carry modest amounts of cash in small denominations so that you can avoid flashing large bills when paying for small items;

• ATM machines can be a convenient way to carry less currency. However, those machines too can be used for robbery. Be wary of anyone who can look over your shoulder when inputting PINs.

• If your possessions are lost or stolen, report the loss immediately.

• Don't tip beggars

• Wear the shoulder strap of your bag across your chest

• Carry modest amounts of cash in small denominations so that you can avoid flashing large bills when paying for small items;

• ATM machines can be a convenient way to carry less currency. However, those machines too can be used for robbery. Be wary of anyone who can look over your shoulder when inputting PINs.

• If your possessions are lost or stolen, report the loss immediately.