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Explore Europe Small Group Tours  Phone (808) 395-2083 Fax: 877 581 6594 E-mail: tercmele@aol.com & we will be happy to phone you
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Getting Ready for Your TERC Tours:
Health & Other Concerns
You need to be in good physical condition for these tours. Age is not a concern as long as you are physically fit, a very good walker, able to stand for long periods, and able to climb lots of stairs--particularly in our "hill towns". The most active days have at least 5 miles of walking, often over uneven cobble stones, and up and down lots of stairs or steep inclines.
We cannot cater fully to the needs of special diets--but will do the best we can. Vegetarians and people with diet restrictions usually manage quite well with a little flexibility, and help from their guides.
Bring copies of prescriptions, including glasses. Carry these in your moneybelt.
Preparation
Your tour can be an intensive learning experience and those who prepare get more out of their tour experience. Devote some reading/viewing time to your trip (your tour handbook will have some specific recommendations) Europe 101: History and Art for the Traveler is an excellent, fun resource for preparations. Check with TERC re. videos you can borrow
Passports
We need a photocopy of the picture page of each tour member's passport. Please send this with your other completed forms. If you don't have a passport, you need to apply for one soon. For more information, go to TERC's Passport Page for local state locations. Also check the front of your phone book for information. Major post offices also carry the forms. Allow 4-6 weeks for processing--longer as summer approaches.
If you already have a passport, please check the expiration date. Your passport should be valid for at least six months after your return date. No visas or shots are necessary for any of tours.
Customs: US residents are allowed to bring back $400 worth of duty-free goods from Europe, including one liter of alcohol. For more information go to www.customs.ustreas.gov.
Money
How much to Bring: Most travelers on our two+ week tours spend between $400-$1,000 over the course of the tour for non-included meals/snacks and sightseeing, souvenirs, gifts, post cards, postage, phone cards, and other personal needs.see TERC's Europe on a Budget.
How you should "carry" your spending money: We highly recommend you using an ATM Debit Card for your local cash needs..
We strongly recommend that you bring at least one ATM debit card. Your debit card allows you to get cash from European ATMs at a rate close to the excellent interbank/wholesale exchange rate. Using an ATM debit card is like writing a personal check: the money is withdrawn from your checking account. . To use your card overseas, it must have a Cirrus or Plus symbol on the back Cirrus works best on the Continent and Plus system is used in Great Britain. You also need to know your four-digit PIN code. Many European machines do not accept longer codes and may not have alphabetical equivalents marked. Check with your bank for overseas transaction fees and daily withdrawal limits. Most European ATMs withdraw money from checking accounts only not savings.
Use credit cards when you can for large expenses. But you will find you are likely to make more small cash purchases than large ones. Visa, MC, Amex. are widely accepted. They offer excellent exchange rates, as well as important fraud protection. Many credit cards can also be used for "cash advances" at ATMs, BUT steep interest rates and fees make this an option for emergencies only. (Before you leave, you'll want to get a 4-digit PIN code for your card, and find out about fees and interest charges.)
Bring a few traveler's checks as a backup in case ATMS are down, or ???? To minimize per-check fees, it's best to bring US dollar traveler's checks in larger denominations such as $50 or $100. And if you don't use them--pay your CC with them when you get home!
Bring a mix of all three is best. It's important to have an alternative in case one money method doesn't work
Photocopy all of your cards and jot down the emergency phone numbers. Take one copy with you and leave another set with some one at home as a back-up. An 800 number won't work from Europe--but most CC companies have a collect number from outside the US if you have a problem. It is nice to have someone at home who could call on your behalf. For more advice about money matters, see TERC's Money Tips
Tipping: Your guide will take care of tips for tour related meals, tours, taxi, etc. Your guide will explain local tipping customs further once you are in Europe.
Language
Although you don't need to speak much of the language of the countries you visit, it is more comfortable if you are able to master the basic courtesy words, as well as important phrases such as: "How much is that" or "Where is the Toilet" and "how to count". Your free Phrase Book will help and your guide will give you some pronunciation pointers during the tour. You may even want to take a European Language class for Travelers or listen to some Audio Cassettes. TERC has some you can borrow.
Getting to Europe
It is up to you to reserve and purchase your airline ticket to and from Europe. Remember you must depart at least one day (from Hawaii--1 1/2 days) before your tour starts. So Please check your confirmation letter carefully for the day your tour begins and ends. SEE Below for nearest arrival and departure cities for each tour.
Start checking for flight possibilities several months before your departure date. If you want to use frequent flyer miles start even EARLIER.
Meeting your tour
Approximately four months before your tour's departure date, we'll send you instructions and a map to help you get to your first tour hotel. We will provide several transportation options. Contact TERC if you have questions.
A Taste of Paris & Provence or Chateaux, Normandy, + Paris
For these two tours you'll probably want to schedule your flight to arrive in and depart from Paris. Geverny is an hour west of Paris by train. As noted above, we'll send you complete details regarding your transportation options three months before your tour begins. We're including this information here to assist you with your plane reservations.
Bath plus London
The easiest way to begin this trip is to fly into London's Heathrow or Gatwick airports and home from the same. From Heathrow you will likely take a bus to Bath. (there is a bus to Reading and then a train connection too) From Gatwick you will train into London Victoria. Then take a taxi or double decker or underground to Paddington station to train 90 minutes to Bath.We will send you London maps with stations marked.
Explore The Best of Italy
You'll want to fly in and out of Milan or Rome or possibly Nice for this tour, unless you'll be traveling elsewhere before or after the tour. The tour begins in Manarol in the Cinque Terre, which is an easy train ride from any of these cities. It ends in Rome (5 hours by Eurostar Italia to Milan.)
Tuscan & Umbrian Hill Towns
You'll want to fly in and out of Milan or Rome for this tour, unless you'll be traveling elsewhere before or after the tour. The tour begins in Florence, which is an easy train ride from either city. It ends in Orvieto (70 minutes north of Rome and 4 hours by Eurostar Italia to Milan.)
Your accommodations
Our tour accommodations are quaint, most often very old, family-run, in central locations, and full of personality... and will be memorable part of your travel experience. Your room will usually have a private bathroom. And yes, there will be lots of stairs. Some lodging will not have elevators so pack light.
If you're traveling solo, we won't charge you the extra-cost "single supplement" usually required by other tour companies, but you will be sharing a room for the entire tour with room mates of the same gender. When there is an odd number of singles, you may be in a triple. Remember, a $250-350 single supplement is available if "privacy" keeps you happy. This must be requested at least 60 days BEFORE tour departs.
Pre- or post-tour hotels
If you're planning to arrive before the tour begins or stay after the tour ends, you should reserve your extra nights' accommodations a few months in advance. Paris, in particular, is always busy and hotel bargains are snapped up quickly.
We suggest you first try the tour hotels. If they are full, try the hotels listed on TERC's Accommodation page. If you're not certain how many days you'll stay, guess long, as it's easier to cancel a night or two once there than to add one on short notice.
Pickpocket warning
In Europe, travelers are rarely mugged but pickpockets are common. Be careful on all public transportation and in crowds. Watch for distraction tactics such as dropped coins, "accidental" spills, and locals who ask you for directions! Thieves thrive on fresh-off-the-plane tourists. Keep your hands on your bags, sling your day pack across the front and WEAR THAT MONEYBELT UNDER YOUR WAISTBAND!
Pre- or post-tour travel
If you are spending time in EUROPE before your tour, CONTACT TERC for planning assistance.
See the Transportation listings on our Travel Links page. Check train timetables if needed. Flying within Europe can also be quite reasonable. Ask your travel agent, or check out cheapflights.com or europebyair.com.
For specific details about traveling in Europe, please see your Rick Steves' guidebook. If you need more information about any additional European travel, please don't hesitate to call us. For specific questions about your tour or for general questions about additional travel, please call 808 395-2083 or e-mail them at tercmele@aol.com .
Telephoning
To call France from the US, dial: 011 + 33 (France's country code) + local 10 digit number minus the initial 0. All area codes are part of the local number.
To call Italy from the US, dial: 011 + 39 (Italy's country code) + local 10 digit number including the initial 0. All area codes are part of the local number.
To call Great Britain from the US, dial: 011 + 44 (UK's country code) + local 10 digit number including the initial 0. All area codes are part of the local number.
Country Codes for other countries.
To call the US from Europe, dial 001 + US area code + local number.
Phone cards: If you'll be calling home a lot, or calling another European country, use local phone cards (purchase these at post offices, convenience stores and newsstands), and dial direct. This will save you money and hassles.
US phone cards: Another, more expensive (but possibly more convenient) option is to bring an international calling card from your long distance provider (Sprint, AT&T, MCI, etc). Be sure to ask for their best price option for calling from Europe to multiple US numbers. If you choose this option, use their toll-free access numbers and double-check for any hotel connection charges. It may be a lot cheaper to call from a pay phone rather than from your hotel room.
Packing List and Tips
- Pack versatile, comfortable clothing that you can layer for warmth or coolness. Rain is possible regardless of the time of year--we like our mini-compact rain poncho with hood over an umbrella.
- For late fall tours, pack a warmer sweater and socks, hat and gloves. While daytime temperatures should be pleasant, evenings can be cool, especially at higher elevations.
- We have printable packing list and information for general European Travel and some additional packing tips for cold weather.
Laundry
Europe has plenty of laundromats, but you don't always have plenty of time. Your guide will give you tips on when and where you can do laundry. See some Laundry tips that will help you prepare.
Weather and crowds
Summers can be busy but since your transportation, rooms, sightseeing, and many meals are already taken care of (and your guide is an efficiency expert!), it isn't a problem. Europe can be sunny and warm in mid-summer but cool temperatures and rain are always possible.
Crowds will be fewer in the early spring and late fall, although never entirely absent. Spring brings long twilights while autumn nights are cup-o'-cognac-cozy. Weather is a bit more unpredictable but very manageable with smart packing.
For more specific weather information, go to www.worldclimate.com or www.weather.com
See Day-to-Day Itineraries for:
Loire Chateau, Normandy + Paris
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