It is good for travelers to know that:
- What is next after booking your tour ticket?
Here are a few preparation tips on how to prepare for your tour and improve your tour experience:
I. Make sure to attend our scheduled pre-trip meeting. We will contact you on the time, date, and the location of the meeting. Additionally, review or read any written communication that comes home from us and/or your tour leader.
II. Spend some time researching the destination. On having the trip itinerary, you can focus on specific destinations. The more you know about the trip, the more you can get out of the trip.
III. Do all of your pre-trip assignments, and it is better to do them with your parents and/or friends so you have a better understanding of what you will be seeing and learning on the trip.
IV. As approaching to the tour date, make sure you understand all of the rules the tour leader has set for the trip, and be prepared to follow those rules
- What forms should I submit after buying my tour ticket?
If you are under 21 years of age, you must submit a Parent Permission Form online or via Fax/mail at least 30 days prior to your tour date. All tour participants (regardless of their age category) must inform us and/or their designated tour leader, in advance, of their tour date on all medications, special medical or physical needs they have while being on the tour.
- What Tour Policies do we have regarding cancellation and Flexible Payment?
Go to our Tour Policies for details
- What should I pack for my trip?
We encourage all tour participants to read our Words of Advice regarding the packing assignment.
- How can I communicate with my parents, and/or friends while being on the tour?
Our rules and policies regarding cell phones may vary depending on the destination, participant age category, and other factors, so check with your tour leader(s) about any specific rules they may have regarding cell phones. Also, keep in mind that while being on the tour, you may have a very full itinerary, so you may be able to communicate with your parents and/or friends only once or twice.
- What else should I know about my trip?
Here are a few suggestions on how to have a best tour experience:
-Always be open-minded! The act of traveling itself is not always a perfect experience, yet it can lead to near-perfect memories. Remember what Benjamin Disraeli said “Travel teaches toleration”, thus, expect some delays and get prepared to make a change to your itinerary if necessary due to weather, or other issues beyond tour operator’s control.
-While being on the trip try to keep your sense of curiosity and wonder alive by viewing things around yourself differently
-Pay attention to your pre-trip meeting, words of advice, and other precaution messages communicated prior to and on the trip. If you are knowledgeable about the places you are to see, there will be such greater enjoyment and meaning for you.
-The essence of going on a tour is not only seeing or visiting new places you have never been, but also, learning how to get to know new people and work in a team with your friends, especially those with whom you share the hotel room, or your tour guide, chaperon or tour leader in an informal setting.
-Keep track of your trip by noting down your exciting moments in a journal or notebook so that you will be able to share them with your family and friends later on. In other words, you will be happy later that you have a reference for the places you went, the restaurants you ate at, and the types of food you tried. Also, take enough pictures and/or video contents.
-Never be afraid to meet new people. Remember what Benjamin Disraeli said “We can not learn men from books.” So you will learn a lot from taking some time to talk with locals.
-If you want a picture of a local, please be courteous and ask permission first. Most people do not mind at all, yet everyone likes being asked first.
