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WEATHER
The climate of Greece
is moderate and generally agreeable. Late summer and early autumn days can be hot while nights are cool. Temperatures between Spring and Fall range between the mid 80's to the low 50's.
HOTELS
All
hotels are considered First Class or better. Towels and soap are provided. Washcloths are not. It would be wise to bring a few with you.
MEALS
A Continental breakfast of orange juice, coffee, bread,
butter and jam is served daily. You'll enjoy a nightly three course dinner. Except during the cruise extension, lunches are not included in the price of your travel program. Lunch may be purchased at a cost from $6 to
$15, depending on individual taste.
(Travel Tip: It is not appropriate to make your lunch from the hotel's breakfast food).
SPECIAL DIETS
We will do our best to meet your requirements. However, there
will be limitations in our ability to do so depending upon the country and hotel in which we are staying.
PLEASE BE PREPARED TO PURCHASE ANY SPECIALIZED FOOD-STUFFS WHICH YOU MIGHT NEED AT THE LOCAL MARKET.
BEVERAGES AND EXTRAS
Outside the United States beverages are not generally included with the meal except for coffee or tea at breakfast. If you order beverages at lunch or dinner, you will be charged for them.
Please settle for these extras before you leave the dining room. Water served at the table, in most hotels we use, is considered safe. Bottled water, coffee, tea and soft drinks are always available at a
supplemental charge.
THE CRUISE EXTENSION
The price of your Cruise Extension includes three meals a day; guided shore excursions to Rhodes, Ephesus and Patmos; services of the cruise staff and use of
deck chairs. Mykonos is visited if weather permits. Your passport will be collected when you board the ship and will be returned to you the night before you disembark. While on the cruise, one night will be semi-formal
(dress, sport coat w/tie) and on another you will be encouraged to dress in the national colors of blue and white.
SPECIAL NOTICE
Some monasteries will not allow women to enter unless they are wearing a
skirt. Please consult your guide for further details.
MONEY
Because almost everything is included in your travel program, you will need money only for lunches and incidental expenses. You should be able
to satisfy your needs with $400 to $900. Do not carry large sums of cash. In Greece, you will need to change your American money into Euros. Use credit cards for large purchases.
PHONE CALLS
In
making long distance calls to the United States, remember it is cheaper to place the call collect. The hotel will charge a service fee. You may want to purchase an International phone card in Greece to call from a public phone.
LOST ARTICLES
Educational Travel Services, Inc. does not assume
any responsibility for items lost in hotels, busses, or at points of sightseeing.
FORWARDING ADDRESS
Mail can be sent to you directly to your hotel. Letters to tour members should not be mailed from the
U.S.A. later than 6-9 days prior to departure.
BE A CONSIDERATE TRAVELER
Remember you are traveling as a group and should consider the comfort and well being of the entire group at all times. If you are
late getting on the bus, everyone loses valuable time.
You should settle any personal charges you may have (such as laundry, telephone, etc. directly with the hotel the night before you check out. This way you will
not hold up the group at the last minute while you settle your personal bills.
If you have to be absent from a day of touring for any reason, please notify your tour guide as soon as possible.
Please be
prepared to rotate your seat on the bus daily. No smoking is allowed in the dining room or on the bus.
LUGGAGE
We must insist on ONE SUITCASE ONLY per person. You are allowed a total of 44 lbs. of luggage.
Your suitcase should not be larger than 30"X21"X10". Your carry-on piece should measure approximately 12"X12"X18". Any piece which does not fit under the seat or in the overhead compartment
will be placed in the cargo hold with the checked luggage. We do not recommend the use of garment bags.
NOTE:
Your hand luggage (carry-on) is your responsibility. Do not allow your carry-on luggage to be handled by porters at hotels or airports. Carry your hand luggage. ALL BAGS MUST BE MARKED WITH YOUR NAME, ADDRESS AND
BUS COLOR.
IDENTIFICATION
You will receive luggage tags before you leave home. These must be placed on the handle of your suitcase. Name tags will give everyone in the group a chance to get acquainted,
will help us to keep track of the party and will facilitate the group's passage through the various customs points. WEAR YOUR NAME BADGE AT ALL TIMES, INCLUDING CRUISE EXTENSION
TAKE YOUR CAMERA
You
will have time to take pictures. Be sure to carry a good supply of film. You can buy film as you go, but it will be more expensive and not always convenient to obtain. A lead-lined film bag is not necessary. Only the
most sensitive film (400 ASA) or above is affected by airport x-ray machines.
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
The electric current in Europe and the Middle East is 229 Volts. To operate American small appliances
or gadgets you will need BOTH a CONVERTER and ADAPTER PLUGS. Electric clocks, tape recorders and video camera rechargers may not work properly even with a converter due to the difference in the number of cycles.
AN EXPERIENCED TRAVELER'S TIPS FOR PACKING
You don't need to buy a new wardrobe for your trip. Clothes that you wear at home will be fine. Pack items which you find are comfortable: clothes which don't
wrinkle and can be worn in layers; colors which allow you to mix an match; combinations which can go from a market place to a Cathedral without a pause.
Europeans and Middle Easterners do not usually wear shorts
except when playing sports or on the beach. Shorts are not allowed in many churches. Unless you plan to "hit the beach" or participate in sports, leave your shorts at home. In many churches, sleeveless outfits
are not allowed. Be sure to carry a coat, shirt or large scarf with which to cover-up! A skirt is required attire for women who visit the Monastery of Kalambaka.Packing List
- 1 pair of super walking shoes (to live in!)
- 1 warm cardigan sweater
- 2 pair slacks
- 1 skirt (woman)
- 1 sports coat (man)
- 1 pair jeans or casual pants
- 3 cotton shirts
- 1 sweater vest
- 1 rain coat with warm removable lining
- Rain hat and/or small umbrella
- Windbreaker with hood
- Scarf and gloves
- Swim suit
- All purpose travel bags (doubles as camera bag and purse)
Don't Leave Home Without
- Converter
- Adapter
- Travel Alarm
Also Pack:
- Towelettes (packets)
- Tissues (travel packs)
- Extension cord
- Plastic hangers and clothes pins
- Emergency sewing kit and safety pins
- Insect repellent (for evenings in the park)
- Small tape recorder and batteries
- Washcloths and zip-lock baggies
Travelers Advice - DO
- Carry your passport at all times
- Purchase Travlers insurance (there are many sources)
- Carry an extra supply of all prescriptions
- Carry a list of essential medications and your doctor's phone number
- Mark all belongings -- cameras, etc. with your name, group number and bus color
- Take only what you can carry
- Plan your wardrobe around one color
- Plan to dress in layers
- Place liquids in plastic bottles and pack in zip-lock bags
Travelers Advice - DON'T
- Pack money, medicines and valuables in your suitcase - Instead, place these items in your purse, pocket or carry-on luggage.
- Over pack
- Bring expensive jewelry or items of value
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS AND PREPARATION
To obtain maximum benefits from the program, you should be in good physical and mental health, able and willing to actively participate in group events, coach
trips and boat rides.
Those who are less active will still find the journey a delightful experience. If you need to rest during the day, there is often a pleasant park which you can enjoy, or you can
simply remain on the bus. Check with your doctor for medical advice pertinent to the trip and your health.
INSURANCE
Educational Travel strongly recommends
the purchase of pre-travel insurance which covers most cancellation fees.
We also highly recommend a travel insurance which would protect you in the following cases: illness or death, medical expenses overseas, lost
or damaged luggage, and economy airfare if it is necessary to fly home early due to personal illness or death of immediate family member. You may choose to purchase the insurance plan we offer or obtain coverage on your
own.
Please remember, travel insurance benefits cannot be collected until a passenger returns to the U.S. and files a claim with the insurance company.
ILLNESS
If you need immediate medical attention
while abroad, contact the reception area of the hotel. A doctor or emergency services will be summoned for you. You will find that most doctors speak good English, although you may need to speak slowly and clearly. Your
Educational Travel Representative should be notified. She or he will assist you in every way possible. You should remember, however, that expenses incurred (medical, transportation, phone, etc.) must be paid by you. If
you find it necessary to leave the tour and return to the U.S., the supplemental airfare must also be paid by you. HINTS FROM EXPERIENCED TRAVELERS
- Take only what you can carry yourself
- Plan your wardrobe around one color
- Plan to dress in layers
- Take nothing that wrinkles (or simply ignore wrinkles).
- Place all liquids in plastic bottles and pack inside zip-lock bags
MONEY MATTERS
IN GREECE: It is necessary to change currency. Please do not expect or demand to use American money.
Before you leave home, you may wish to exchange a small sum at your local bank. You may prefer to wait until you arrive at the international airport. Your hotel will also exchange money for you.
EXCHANGE RATES AND FACILITIES: The best exchange rate will always be found at a bank. You should know that the exchange rate changes twice a day, at opening and at noon. You should also know that banks charge for
their service. This rate varies from bank to bank.
PLEASE NOTE: When you exchange Euros back into American dollars, you will lose one-third the value of your money. Therefore, you do
not want to have more Euros than you plan to spend. You should change only a small amount of dollars into Euros and , when you need more Euros, you can exchange more dollars.
MAJOR CREDIT CARDS: Credit cards
are accepted in many stores and shops throughout Greece. However, in some places, credit cards are honored only in major tourist stores.
PERSONAL CHECKS
Do bring your check book! They can sometimes be useful in emergency
situations. Personal checks are NOT accepted in stores and cannot be written to banks or hotels. ET Guides cannot accept personal checks for cash.
EVEN WHEN YOU CAN USE AMERICAN MONEY: Remember that the
change back from your dollars will almost always be in the currency of the country. Please do not expect nor demand American money.
NOTE: Educational Travel does not provide money exchange or personal checking
cashing services in Greece.
SERVICE CHARGES AND TIPS: Before you leave the U.S., Educational Travel has already collected money for standard service charges and tips. ET will distribute the tips to the
porters, waiters, maids, reception staff, etc. If you ask for a special favor of a maid or porter, for example, you should tip these persons as you would at home.
A voluntary LOVE OFFERING
for you Guide and Driver will be taken on each bus as an expression of your appreciation for their service. We recommend $3.00 per day per person for the guide and $2.00 per person per day for the driver. A small offering may also be taken for bus drivers during shore excursions of the cruise extension.
SHOPPING
Although this is not a "shopping tour," we fully understand the desire to bring home souvenirs. Time has been allotted for shopping. Some of you will think this time is not enough
and some will think too much time is spent on shopping. Please remember, the purpose of our travel programs is educational and we try to arrange the programs to please the majority of participants.
Shopping is done
"at your own risk." Educational Travel assumes no responsibility for purchases at places recommended by any guide. Beware of merchants who sell low cost items only to vastly overcharge on expensive items.
Avoid street peddlers, especially while touring. They are a hindrance to the group. Do not even say "NO" to them; ignore them completely. And never allow peddlers on the motorcoach.
VALUE ADDED TAX REFUNDS
A "Value Added" tax (VAT) is much like our sales tax. In most countries abroad, VAT is charged on all items purchased. As a tourist, you can recover this tax if:
- Your purchases in one store exceed a specific amount.
- You receive from the store a Tax Refund form.
- You present this form and your unopened merchandise to customs officials at the border of the country where it was purchased. Customs officers will validate your form with an official stamp.
- You mail the validated form to the store where you made your purchase. They will mail you a check for the tax refund.
For more information, please check with your guide during the first week of travel.
U.S. CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
A returning U.S. resident is allowed $800.00 in purchases duty free under the
following regulations:
- You must be abroad at least 48 hours.
- Articles totaling $800 must be based on a fair retail value of the country from which them came. There is no limit on cigarettes (within the $800 exemption).
- Articles totaling $800 will be covered by customs exemptions provided they:
A. Accompany the returning resident
B. Are acquired as an incident of the trip
C. Are for personal, household and gift purposes
D. Are properly recorded with customs
- One quart of alcohol is permitted for persons over 21 years of age. However, liquor importation laws must not be in violation of laws of the state of arrival. These laws vary from state to state.
- Gifts may be mailed to the U.S. A. duty free but are limited to $50.00 gifts per person per day (does not include perfumes costing more than $5, tobacco, or liquor).
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