General Information for Athens and the Islands Tour 2011

--We are traveling with EF Educational Tours.
--This is a 10-day private tour June 16-25, 2011 especially for our adult group. (We are not doing the 3-day extension.)
--The all-inclusive tour price is $3,942 per adult. This includes the $95 enrollment fee, current departure fees*, program fee, weekend supplement, all-inclusive insurance plan, private bus, adult supplement, 4 nights Athens hotel in double rooms with private baths, 4-day Greek Isle cruise with inside double rooms with private bath, roundtrip airfare from DFW, all breakfasts and dinners in Athens, and breakfast, lunch and dinner on the cruise.
--Ship to shore transportation is provided in the tour cost. Optional excursions are available for all ports of call through Louis Cruise lines while on tour.
--This price is good through Feb. 26, 2011 when the final payments must be received. $125 late fee will be charged if final payment is not received by that date. *Departure fees are subject to change according to the airport tax.
--The $135 All-Inclusive Insurance Plan covers medical and accident, baggage and property, and tour cancellation and interruption. The insurance is not required, but I do recommend it. The insurance is automatically billed to all travelers and must be paid upon enrollment or within 30 days of enrollment. If you do not want it, you must decline in writing. Once you decline it, you cannot get it back.
--Each participant must have a roommate or will be subject to a single supplement charge. As of 2010, the single supplement is $40 per night in a hotel or cruise cabin. That would be $40 x 8 nights = $320.
--Enrollment options:
Internet: enroll online quickly and easily at http://www.eftours/enroll. Our tour number is 193839. (The lower student price appears first; the adult supplement appears on the next page after you register with your birthday to provide your age)
Phone: call 1-800-665-5364.
Mail: send in the enrollment form with the full payment in the prepaid envelope provided (I have these).
Fax: complete the enrollment form and fax to 1-800-318-3732.
--Payment options:
--Manual payment: the full price is due upon enrollment through Feb. 26, 2011.
--Credit card or direct bank debit: pay $95 ($230 with insurance) with enrollment, then the balance is automatically divided into monthly payments deducted monthly from your checking account or credit card. With this plan you have 2 more months (until May 15, 2011) to make payments (30 days prior to departure) and do not have to worry about late fees.
--When registering, you MUST put your name on the application EXACTLY as it is on your passport or birth certificate. This is the same name that will be put on your airplane tickets (and passport if you don’t have one yet) and the names must match. Married women use your married name. EF requires you include a middle name (or maiden name if that is on your passport) for enrollment.
--You will need a passport to travel abroad. If you have one, make sure it will be valid at least six months after our return in 2011. Adult passports are good for 10 years; children’s passports are good for five years. If you do not have a passport, then wait until about 6 months prior to departure to apply.
--Once we have organized our traveling group, I will keep you informed of everything you need to know. I will have meetings a few months prior to departure. Until then I will keep you informed on sites we will see, what to expect, what to pack, how to obtain currency, where to shop, how to get passports, inform you of airline flights and hotels…everything you need to know through this travel blog at http://luv2go.blogspot.com/.
Right now you just need to decide if you want to join us…and we hope you do!
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First Meeting Notes: Things to Remember about Travel

--This is a fast-paced sightseeing tour with a lot of planned activities with a free afternoon in Paris and a free day in London. There will be a lot of walking so be practicing! Also, this is your trip. If there is an activity on the itinerary that you do not wish to participate in, that is fine. Feel free to do something else, however you must still make sure you are able to meet the bus for departure or locate the hotel as transportation to your alternate activity is on your own. If you opt out of an itinerary activity, however, there is no refund. Just be sure you tell me if you do not plan to be with the group…otherwise we will think you are lost!
--Be prepared for crowds. But just ignore them and enjoy the sites we are longing to see.
--As group travelers, just remember it is important to be on time for departures. There is nothing worse than having to wait on people when we want every minute to spend at an activity. We must all remember courtesy…and patience. The front seats offer the best views (and great opportunities to talk one on one with the courier) so let’s all try to take turns in the front.
--One of my rules to live by when dealing with travel (or anything!)…Life happens, just roll with it. Some things we simply cannot do anything about…the weather, airline delays, road construction, the value of the Euro…we will just deal with it and consider it another thing to write home about! If there is a problem on the trip that can be rectified, let me know so I can deal with it.
--Although there are some drawbacks to group travel, there are also many wonderful aspects…making new friends, sharing experiences, no worries about where we are going to sleep or eat, having travel arrangements already made for us and tickets to attractions ready, and memories that will last a lifetime!

First Meeting Notes: Packing

One of my goals is to pack everything in a carry-on and a personal item (what most airlines say that you can carry on to a plane). My goal is not to check my baggage…if possible. Although we do not know yet which airline we will fly, I checked online with five (American, Delta, United, Air France, and British Airways) and all gave similar instructions. The carry-on should be a 45-inch bag (height + width + depth including handle, pockets and wheels) which is about 22 x 13 x 9, with a maximum weight of 40 pounds.
My bag is 22 x 13 x 7. A personal item can be a backpack, small bag, purse, laptop, or similar item. I am using a bag that fits over the handles of my rolling bag. I practice packed my bags for the trip and had everything I plan to take in these two bags. I by no means am telling you that you have to pack in this size. I’m just saying it is possible…and packing as light as possible should be your goal.
--Some tips for packing light: We will be gone for 10 days and you can wear slacks/capris for 2 days with a different shirt each day…that’s five slacks and 10 shirt. One pair I’ll wear on the plane for the first 2 days and one pair and a shirt I put in the small hand bag. My plan is NOT to check my bag, but I never know when the airline might make me, so I pack an extra set of clothes in the handbag just in case…that leaves only 3 pair of pants to go in the suitcase!
--Also in the suitcase I put a flat rolling duffel which takes up no space, but I could pull it out to put dirty clothes in and have room for souvenirs in my suitcase. That way I could check the duffel coming home (and it will fit under the bus just fine during the trip) and still carry on my suitcase.
--I put everything I MUST have (horrors…in case of lost luggage) in my handbag/backpack. I have a compact travel blow dryer (you could share one with a roommate), a curling iron (in a sock or curling holder to manage cords), electric converter and only plugs for France and England (not the entire set), medicines in original bottles (ask the doctor for smaller prescription bottles), 3-1-1 toiletry bag (instead of a quart bag, I use a clear zippered curtain valance bag the size of a quart bag…it is deeper), small disposable toiletries (many free from hotels and sample sizes…it’s crucial to downsize the toiletries to save a lot of space), and my “on-the-plane” bag (a quart ziploc bag where I have everything I need for the airplane…blow up neck pillow, earplugs, gum, toothbrush, toothpaste, ipod, earphones, book, etc.). My day bag with my digital camera inside is also stuffed inside the handbag/backpack.
--Lay out everything you think you want to take, then get your smallest suitcase and start practicing. You have to make choices, so decide what you can live without for 10 days. You’ll surprise yourself!
Even though I plan to pack with a carry-on size bag, does not mean that you have to! If you feel you need a larger suitcase, then that is your choice. Just remember that you are your own porter. Remember this when packing….KISS – Keep It Super Simple!
--NEVER put money, passport, credit cards, keys (especially keys to your car parked at the airport) in checked luggage. If it gets lost…well…!
--Do not lock your bag as the airline may need to search it; just tie the zipper ends with a twist tie to keep it shut during transport.
--You will also need a neck or waist passport pouch (some prefer a fanny pack) to keep your passport, money, and credit cards close to your body at all times. At night, put your passport pouch, money, digital camera and any valuables in your day bag and keep by your bed. In case of an emergency, you can simple grab that bag and go.
--Wear your most comfortable shoes since they are already broken in and bring a lighter pair for a spare…just in case these get wet or a shoe string breaks. Avoid bringing a pair to match every outfit or bulky shoes that take up too much space and weigh down your suitcase. And don’t bring new shoes that you’ve never worn before as there is lots of walking. You’ll regret this! You’ll have to remove your shoes at the airport so consider slip on ones there.
--Most cathedrals require you to have your shoulders and knees covered when entering (no shorts or tank tops). Consider a light weight shawl that can multi-purpose as a wrap, a makeshift skirt, a blanket on a cool bus or museum, a picnic spread, etc. Dress conservatively…there is no need to remind everyone that we are American tourists by how we look...they'll be able to figure that out without our help! There is no need to make ourselves targets.
--Pack (or wear) a lightweight waterproof jacket or umbrella.
--Add some empty trash bags and twist ties for dirty clothes (and a dryer sheet for smell!) Some pack each day’s set of clothes in 2-1/2 gallon ziploc bags and press out the air, some roll their clothes, and some iron each item to flatten them more.
--Other useful items to pack: a small compass (you may have a map of the city but have no clue which direction is north!); a journal and a couple of pens; a highlighter; individual snacks; a travel alarm clock; sunscreen. Many European hotels do not provide washcloths. Suggestions are: handiwipes, cut an old worn towel and dispose as you use, or the condensed washcloths that expand in water.
--If you pack books to read, consider garage sale paperbacks that you can trade or leave to lighten your load…but don’t pack a library! Try downloading audio books onto your ipod. You can purchase them through iTunes or download some of the classics for free. There are many sites; just search for "download free audiobooks."
--Cameras—bring plenty of film and batteries for 35mm and extra memory cards and batteries for digital cameras.
--And leave valuables at home. No need to tempt fate!

First Meeting Notes: Money

--Included in the tour are all air and bus transportation, hotel, all breakfasts and dinners, entrances to activities on the itinerary, all tips and gratuities for activities and meals.
--Not included are lunches, beverages other than water (don’t count on iced tea…and don’t ask for it! Europeans don’t drink it and rarely serve it. Water in a glass is complementary with a meal; bottled water is a fee…just like in the US). Their water comes carbonated and non-carbonated, so request “gas” or “no gas” when purchasing bottled water. Also not included are activities you choose to do personally, souvenirs, bus driver and tour director tips (these explained in earlier posting).
--France will use the Euro and England will use the British pound. I recommend having some Euro with you before we depart. There is a Thomas Cook 24-hour currency exchange machine at DFW airport. Another option is to contact your bank. My bank charges a flat fee of $40 to exchange an unlimited amount of money with 1-2 day delivery. Several friends could go together and split the fee. I do not recommend using online Travelex as I have used them before. They charge a flat fee, BUT it is considered a cash loan when purchasing it with your credit card. I had LOTS of extra fees attached to my credit card.
--Once in France, if you need extra Euro I recommend using ATM machines as they are numerous and convenient. However each time you draw money there is a fee so make as few draws as possible or it will become expensive. Credit cards are readily accepted too for large purchases. It should be simple to exchange Euro to British pounds while on the ferry, so you probably do not need to do that before leaving.
--Although I haven’t used them in years, I still carry traveler’s checks with me. They can be obtained easily at your bank, do not cost, and if lost can be traced. They are my insurance...in case the ATM eats my card!
--Precaution: Leave a copy of your traveler’s checks, passport, credit cards, etc. at home, in your luggage, and in your wallet. In case of theft, we have information to report.
--And contact your bank and credit card company to let them know there will be charges from a foreign country. If not, they may be doing their job and cut you off! It’s happened!

First Meeting Notes: Contacting Home

--Contact your cell phone company about international rates and the capability of your phone to call locally in France and England and overseas to home.
--Consider email, as Internet cafes are prevalent in Europe.
--I will be collecting your cell phone numbers by our second meeting and sharing with the group so that we can also keep in touch with each other.
--In case of flight delays on the return trip, I will also compile an emergency phone chart so we will need the name and (preferably) cell phone number of a contact person by the next meeting.