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Overview | Popular Destinations | Discovery Moments | Travel Details
Travel Details
Packing Tips
- Check the weather forecast for the destinations you will be visiting and pack appropriately.
- Pack light. One outfit per day of seasonally appropriate clothing is recommended. Each student must be able to carry their own luggage, so be careful not to over pack and bring only the essentials.
- Pack important items in your carry-on including your identification, copy of itinerary, money, medications, contact lens case/glasses, change of clothes in case luggage is delayed, and any valuables.
- Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes are a must.
- If traveling by air, student must carry a picture ID (driver's license, ID card, passport, etc.) which matches the exact name on his/her airline ticket.
- If traveling abroad, bring a voltage converter with you, along with an adapter (to fit electrical plugs into foreign outlets). Note that some adapter kits don't include converters.
- If traveling abroad, make sure your passport does not expire within six months of your date of travel. Some countries insist that your passport be valid for at least a six-month time period.
- Place an envelope in one of your checked bags containing copies of your birth certificate and/or passport and a back-up form of photo I.D. in case your passport is lost or stolen.
Spending Money
While the Globus family of brands has already included the major components of the trip, there will be times when students will need additional spending money. As a general guideline, we recommend each traveler budget $20-40 in spending money each day for lunches and of course shopping for souvenirs! Please check your documents to see if optional excursions are offered since these will call for additional funds.
Meals
Student Discoveries provides breakfast and dinner daily unless otherwise stated in your itinerary. Students start each day with a full continental breakfast. They'll enjoy delicious dinners with choice of entrees. Whenever possible, we include dinner at a local restaurant so students can sample the specialties of the area. Lunch is an opportunity for the students to taste the local fare.
Hotels
To ensure your safety and comfort, hotels are pre-screened and selected for their high quality. Our hotels are always located in good neighborhoods, mostly in residential areas. Rooms at all our hotels include private bath or shower and a toilet.
Students will share rooms with 2 or 3 roommates of the same gender as assigned by the group leader. Triple and quad rooms will be furnished with existing bedding; either three twin beds or two double beds which may be shared. Quad accommodations are not available on vacation destinations outside the United States.
Hotels are mainly moderate first class or superior tourist class hotels. Our hotel ratings follow standards set by the independent Hotel & Travel Index or by national tourist boards. The specific rating for each contract hotel is determined by our quality controllers.
Students will share rooms with 2 or 3 roommates of the same gender as assigned by the group leader. Triple and quad rooms will be furnished with existing bedding; either three twin beds or two double beds which may be shared. Quad accommodations are not available on vacation destinations outside the United States.
Hotels are mainly moderate first class or superior tourist class hotels. Our hotel ratings follow standards set by the independent Hotel & Travel Index or by national tourist boards. The specific rating for each contract hotel is determined by our quality controllers.
Transportation
Students will travel by fully air-conditioned motorcoach for most itineraries and destinations. In some instances abroad, travelers will be provided with a Daily Tube/ Métro Pass for transportation.
Tour Pace
Days will be filled with sightseeing. Many tours will be on foot, so travelers should be prepared for a lot of walking.
International Travel
Before traveling be sure to:
- Activate ATM and/or credit card
- Bring your PIN code(s) consisting of numbers, NOT letters (International ATMs may have numerical key pads only) - to facilitate use of both ATM and credit card(s) (becoming increasingly important with new “chip & pin” technology).
- Check with your bank to ensure you are able to withdraw cash on your cards abroad (you may need a new PIN code).
- Advise your bank that you will be traveling abroad and plan to use your card/s for shopping etc. (To avoid fraud, they may refuse charges made overseas unless they know they are being made by the card owner).
- Check that cards are valid for at least 30 days beyond completion of your vacation.
- Ask your credit card and traveler's check companies for emergency numbers (suitable for international access - not those starting with 1-800) to report loss. Always keep these numbers with you while traveling (but separate from cards and checks).
- Check http://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/global/jsp/SearchPage.jsp for the addresses of ATMs in the area you will be traveling.
Credit Cards
While major U. S. credit cards are widely accepted, some local shops and restaurants require a minimum purchase amount (so they may not be appropriate for incidentals such as snacks, sundries, etc.). Also, you might consider bringing more than one card, as some locations may not accept all types. And be prepared to show identification (i.e. your passport) when making a credit card transaction.
Traveler's Checks
While they're a secure means of carrying money, traveler's checks have become much less common and are therefore sometimes difficult to use abroad. In most cases, you won't be able to use checks as cash to purchase items in stores or pay for restaurant meals; instead exchange checks for currency at a local bank. On the rare occasions that you are able to use check as cash, a processing fee may be applied (usually 2-3%), so if you do bring them, we suggest larger denominations ($50, $100) to minimize the impact of this fee.
Overcoming Jet Lag
When traveling overseas, crossing multiple time zones may upset your body's natural biorhythms. But jet lag doesn't have to put a damper on your vacation. Here are a few tips to make the transition to a new time zone (and an enchanting new place) just a bit easier:
- Before your flight, get plenty of rest and drink a lot of water. Also, try eating light meal before you board so that hunger does not keep you from sleeping.
- As soon as you board your flight, set your watch to the time of your destination. Then act accordingly. If it is nighttime in your arrival city when you take off, try to get a few hours of sleep. If it's daytime at your final stop, try walking through the cabin to stay alert.
- On arrival, stay awake until an early local bedtime. A brisk walk will not only revive your body, but also serves as an invaluable introduction to your new surroundings.
- Wake the next day from a full night's rest, alert and able to get the most from your overseas experience.
Phoning Home
Ask your Tour Director for information, as long-distance calling cards (AT&T/MCI/Bell/Telstra/
Telecom etc.) are not always your best option. If you do use them, please be aware that
different access codes apply, depending on the country you are calling from (remember to
bring this information with you from home); hotels will probably make a connecting charge
even to toll-free numbers; various international long distance calling cards or local phone
cards may be available at post offices.
Telecom etc.) are not always your best option. If you do use them, please be aware that
different access codes apply, depending on the country you are calling from (remember to
bring this information with you from home); hotels will probably make a connecting charge
even to toll-free numbers; various international long distance calling cards or local phone
cards may be available at post offices.
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| To inquire how Student Discoveries can assist you with your student group, contact your preferred travel agent, call us at 888-258-0012, or e-mail us. |
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