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2. Rome to Athens February Break 2019

12. Behavior Expectations
EF & the chaperones reserve the right to send students home at the parent’s expense due to inappropriate tour behavior
Drinking alcoholic beverages
Drugs
Smoking
Illegal activities
Sneaking out after curfew
Having members of the opposite sex in the hotel rooms
Free Time – Groups of 3 ALWAYS.
Strike 1 – With Mr. Carroll for the rest of the day
Strike 2 – With Mr. Carroll for the rest of the trip

13. Weather – Average Lows and Highs
Rome: Avg H 58 / L37
Greece: Avg. 51 H 57 / L 44

14. Dressing Appropriately for Europe
Layers –
Base layer: moisture-wicking material (thermal underwear)
Mid layer: sweatshirt/fleece/sweater/warm shirt
Outer layer: preferably a wind/water resistant coat
Jeans/pants
Closed-toed shoes or boots, preferably with good traction
Accessories
Gloves, Scarf, Ear warmers, Hat, Umbrella
Expect to re-wear some of the same clothes

15. Voltage & Plug Differences
Voltage in Europe 230 V / 50 Hz US
120 V / 60 Hz Uses plugs types A &B
Italy = L
Greece = B

16. How can I charge my electronics?
EXAMPLES
$15 Adapter Plug (does NOT convert the voltage)
$43 Adapter Plug + Voltage Conversion
~$20-35 Dual-Voltage Hair Dryer
Phones, Laptops, and Cameras are typically rated to charge on both voltages – check the power brick, or charging cord for information
Electric hair dryers, curling irons, and flat irons will NOT work unless they are dual-voltage rated.
Hotels normally provide hair dryers

17. Keeping Items Secure
All students need an around-the-neck passport/money holder. -- there are several options and price points.
For the girls: a cross-body purse for arms-free movement.
I recommend one with a zipper for added security.
You will probably want to hold a small umbrella, wallet, phone/camera, water bottle, sunglasses, hand sanitizer, and anything else you usually carry.

18. Wifi & Data Plans
Check with your individual wireless carrier for international rates and plans.
Free ways to stay in touch while abroad include:
In each of our hotels, we should have access to Wifi. Students will have time to call every evening

19. Communication on the Trip
No news is good news
Daily
At least 1 full group picture every day
Bullet point rundown of activities
Issues with a specific student will be brought up with their specific parents
Travelers should speak with chaperones about issues

20. ATMs & Cash
Go to your bank and request ahead of time Euros so you will have local currency upon landing. I recommend starting the tour with about $100€.
Notify banks /credit card company ahead of time of the countries/cities that will be visited as well as the dates you will be there.
Generally, Visa and Mastercard are widely used, while Discover and AMEX are not popular.
We will have access to ATMs in each country

21. Gratuities for Tour Director & Bus Drivers
It is customary to tip the tour guide and bus driver on EF tours.
$6 per day for your Tour Director
$3 per day for your driver
$1-2 for each local guide or local airport/train transfer
At the 2nd meeting, tip $ will be collected
$100 per traveler

22. Prescriptions and Medications
Students should bring their prescriptions in their carry-on luggage, and should take extra.
Prescriptions should be in the original packaging with student’s name on the label
Contact wearers should bring plenty of solution, an extra case and an extra set of contact lenses
Over the counter medications such as ibuprofen/Tylenol, cold medicine may be brought

23. Health Concerns We are traveling during cold and flu season
No mandatory vaccines or special medication is needed for visiting Europe
Some preventive measures to look into include:
flu vaccine
hand sanitizer / wipes
Over-the-counter medications

24. Rooming Situation
All hotels will either be triple or quad occupancy – we may have both on the tour.
There is a possibility that you will have to room with students from Kell.
We will have sign-up cards for potential 4-person rooms and for potential 3-person rooms.
Our tour has 9 Girls and 9 Boys and 6 Adults

25. Deadlines 110 Days Prior to Departure: 10/30
Last chance to enroll on your tour without late fees
Those not on an Automatic Payment Plan must have a balance of $0
Add or Remove individual special travel requests (if any travelers are either arriving early to your tour or extending their stay at the end)
Names and dates of birth of you and your travelers in our system must match your passport exactly – have everyone double check on their accounts online!
Any special requests for on tour are due

26. Deadlines 70 Days Prior to Departure: 12/18
Last chance to enroll in the All-Inclusive Coverage Plan
Tour itinerary & date confirmation
If required for non-US citizens, all visas must be obtained (this is done individually, not through EF)

27. Deadlines 50 Days Prior to Departure:
Add or remove optional excursions
Flight itineraries are released
Backpacks and Departure Kits mailed to you
30-14 Days Prior to Departure: 
Hotel and Tour Director information released through
Emergency contacts must be listed
All balances must be at $0

28. Holiday Gift Ideas European outlet adapter Passport Pouch
Debit Card (and practice with an ATM)
Good walking shoes (time to break them in) and good socks
Reasonably sized but spacious luggage (well under 50 lbs)
Cross body purse with zipper
Travel sized items (toiletries, umbrellas, glasses case, etc.)
Wintertime clothes
Camera (?)

29. Things to bring for our next meeting Approx. 30 Days Before Departure
Color copy of passport
$100 cash for gratuities
Completed Medical Profile