GROUP TRAVEL: OUR ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Shopping
Travelink programs are primarily designed for sightseeing, not shopping. However, we do recognize that shopping is a fun part of the travel experience and some opportunities will be made available. Local guides, street vendors and other merchants will use all sorts of “friendly persuasion” techniques to get you into certain shops. If you are interested, fine; if not, don’t let yourself be pressured. Shoppers beware!

Since we are not in the shopping business, Travelink does not recommend any shops and are, therefore, unable to intervene if anything goes wrong. Our agents may recommend shops, but it is difficult for them to follow-up if your merchandise doesn’t arrive or is broken.

Hints for Hassle-free Shopping

• Before you leave, make a list of items you may want to purchase. Price those items at local stores. This will tell you whether something is a bargain or not. This will also help you decide how much money to take.|

• Comparison shopping is important—if you have time. If not, you may want to go ahead and make your purchase, if you are happy with the price and know you may not see this item again.

• Ask for a clearly written receipt for anything you buy.

• If you are in a country that charges the VAT (value added tax), ask for a VAT statement so that you may turn in your accumulated statements at the airport for a refund.

• If the item is to be mailed or shipped, be very specific about how it is to be done—and with or without insurance. If possible, take a copy of the shipping papers with you.

• Beware of bargains that are “too good to be true” —they generally are. If anyone offers you a $10 emerald or $20 genuine antique artifact from King Tut’s tomb, take your money and run!

U.S. Customs
Shopping abroad is one of the pleasures of international travel. A Customs Declaration form will be given to you on your return flight to the U.S. Fill it out completely.

Your duty-free exemption is $800 if you are a returning U.S. resident and the items you acquired abroad accompany you. There are, however, some exceptions. Please check the U.S. Customs & Border Protection website for additional information; and for the latest travel tips, travelers should read the booklet Know Before You Go, also available on the website; or you may call U.S. Customs & Border Protection at 202-354-1000.

In addition to this, you may send home, duty free, as many gift purchases as you desire, providing the retail cost of the gift does not exceed $100 and no more than one gift a day is sent to one address. Those parcels must be marked “gift” and cannot be sent to yourself. It is advisable to ask for a bill of sale with every purchase and keep those to show to the customs agent if requested.

Before leaving the U.S., register all foreign made items you are taking with you such as cameras, binoculars, tape recorders, etc., so that you are not charged duty bringing them back into the country. Register with the nearest U.S. Customs Office, or carry the original bill of sale for each item.

Currency

• Cash: For your convenience we offer starter packs of foreign currency which you may obtain when you make your final tour payment. A Travelink tip is to take $25 to $50 in one dollar bills for tips in places where people like U.S. currency.

• Credit Cards: Major credit cards are widely accepted. It’s good to use a credit card (not debit/ check card) whenever you can as the exchange rate is usually better. However, the smaller stores may offer better cash prices!

• Travelers Cheques: The safest way to carry money when traveling is in travelers cheques. They can be cashed at local banks for local currency almost anywhere in the world. There will be a charge unless you go to an American Express office with American Express cheques. Our office also has travelers cheques in U.S. and several foreign currencies.

• Cash Machines: Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are proliferating. You can use your bank card at ATMs away from home to withdraw money from an account and get cash advances from a credit card account in the local currency. Check in advance that your card is approved for such use, its cash limits, ATM locations and affiliated cash-machine networks, as well as the service fees you can expect to pay to use the ATMs out of the U.S.

• Spending Money: Most of our tour packages are fairly inclusive so that all you need to purchase are beverages and a few meals. Of course, this depends in part on how much shopping you plan to do. A general guideline is $50–$75 per person per day.

Tipping
Check your brochure. In many cases, some or all of the tipping has been included in your group tour cost. If so, it will be taken care of by your Tour Manager or Group Leader. Tips are always included for the meals indicated in your itinerary. If your tips have not been included, we recommend you anticipate approximately $10.00 per person per day inclusive for tour manager, coach driver, and guide. Personal tipping is necessary only for individual services. 10–15% is the expected amount.

Other Items to be Aware of

• Voltage: 220-240 volts, 50 cycles. A 110-volt outlet for an electric razor only is a standard bathroom feature in first class and deluxe hotels. You will need a transformer and plug adapters for appliances such as hair dryers and curling irons.

• On Guard: Leave valuables, especially jewelry, at home. Always lock your checked luggage not only when in transit but even in your hotel room. Take the usual precautions about your purse, wallet, and cameras when sightseeing.

• Photography: Although film is readily available most anywhere you go, it will cost extra in time and money. Take more film than you think you will need and don’t forget specialty items such as lithium batteries or extra memory cards for your digital camera. Some places may not allow photographs to be taken. When in doubt, ask.

• Lost & Found: Always check around your seat on the plane, coach, train, or restaurant to make sure you don’t leave your jacket, hat, cameras, or tickets. Double check the hotel room prior to checking out. You do not want to waste precious time looking for or worrying about lost articles.

• A Note to Singles: Travelink cannot be responsible for finding roommates for those traveling solo. If you are unable to find a roommate, or we are unable to help you find a roommate in your group, it will be necessary for you to pay the single rate indicated in your brochure. Remember, a single supplement only buys you privacy, not a better room. This charge will appear on your statement and will entitle you to a single room for the entire tour.

• Departure City: If you wish to leave from a city other than the departure city indicated in your brochure, please advise Travelink as soon as possible. We will endeavor to get the best fare and schedule available. The additional cost will be added to your final billing.

• Additional Travel Arrangements: If you wish additional individual travel arrangements for yourself at the end of the tour, you will need to submit your request in writing. (Group tour rates require that you depart together, but currently allow for a very small percentage of the group to return separately from the scheduled flight.) There is a customization fee of $150 per person for any variation from the group travel arrangements as set forth in your tour brochure. We will do our best to accommodate your request and advise you of the extra cost, but our philosophy requires us to take care of the group first. We must receive your request, in writing, at least 180 days prior to departure.

• Cancellation Policy:
Please take note of the cancellation policy as stipulated in your brochure. All tours specify a minimum penalty, no matter when you cancel, to cover administrative costs plus any non-refundable airline and hotel deposits. Once you are within 150 days of departure, the penalty increases due to non-refundable prepayments for air and land arrangements and issuance of tickets.

For your protection and peace of mind, Travelink offers accident, baggage, and cancellation insurance. Cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. Remember, it is wise to protect your vacation investment and Travelink will not release your final documents until you have purchased insurance or signed an insurance waiver.

Weights, Measures, Time:

• Metric
European and Asian countries
use the metric system for indicating weights, distances, and temperatures. Consider this when comparing with our measuring system.

• Temperature
Temperatures are usually reported in degrees Centigrade. On the Centigrade thermometer, freezing is 0 rather than 32 as on the Fahrenheit scale. 100 degrees Centigrade is boiling and corresponds to 212 degrees Fahrenheit. To compute Fahrenheit, multiply Centigrade by 1.8 and add 32. To compute Centigrade, subtract 32 from Fahrenheit and divide by 1.8.

• Distances
The basic distance measure is the meter. One meter equals about 39 inches. In many countries highway distances are computed in kilometers rather than in miles. A kilometer is 1,000 meters or 3,280 feet. Thus it is 5/8 of a mile (5,280 feet) or .06214 miles. Two simple methods of quickly converting kilometers to miles are: take the number of kilometers and divide by 8 and multiply by 5. For instance, 80 kilometers divided by 8 equals 10. Multiplied by 5, it comes to an approximation of 50 miles. The second method is to multiply the number of kilometers by 6 and cross off one decimal. For example, 80 kilometers multiplied by 6 is 480. Cross off the last decimal and the result is 48 miles. The two systems vary with slightly different results, but either gives a quick approximation.

• Weights
Weights may be computed by the kilogram or “kilo.” One “kilo” is slightly more than two pounds.

• Volume
Gasoline and milk may be measured in liters. One liter is a little more than a quart.

• Time
You may suffer from jet lag when you cross five or more time zones. There are a number of things you can do to lessen the effects. Get as much sleep as you can on your flight. Eat and drink very lightly. And as soon as possible, establish a routine in sync with local time. Refer to our World Famous Jet Lag Tips!

Final Payment:
Please make checks payable to Travelink and mail directly to the office where your final bill was produced. Travelink also accepts American Express, Master Card, and Visa cards for final payment on some tours. Read the fine print carefully as there may be a service fee for using your credit card.

Tickets and final documents cannot be released until your full payment has been received and we have proof of your insurance purchase or a signed waiver declining the coverage we offer.