Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the return date of your trip.

No visa required for US passport holders (except Russia). It is the responsibility of non-US citizen travelers to obtain proper visas of all countries.

Resident Aliens need both passport and Alien Resident Card for re-entry to the States.

Peony Tours is not responsible when you are denied entrance for any reason at any foreign country, even if you have a valid passport and visa. The tour fare does not include any fees of passport and visas.

In addition to the tour fare, taxes for air ticket and airline fuel surcharge must be paid at the time of reservation. Fuel surcharge and taxes vary by airline and destination, and subject to change at any time. Airport taxes vary by locations and must be paid at site if any.

Peony Tours will provide Travel Protection Insurance at no additional cost for customers who have made their final payment 60 days prior to departure. Please call Peony Tours for detail information of the specific kind of insurance for your tour.

It is advised that you purchase your own travel insurance or additional coverage if necessary.

Due to the long trip and different geological conditions, it is best to consult your doctor before departure. Remember to pack your own prescription medicine and some overcounter medicine for flu, indigestion, car sick, vitamins etc.

In case of illness, please immediately advise your tour conductor and/or local guides for further assistance.

Carry emergency contact person¡¦s name, address and telephone number with you.

Keep travel documents, passport, personal necessities and valuables with you at all time and make a copy of them.

To make your trip more interesting & fruitful, it might be a good idea to collect some information of the culture, language, customs and habits of the places you will travel to.

Choose clothing for the season when you travel. It is indispensable to carry raincoat or umbrella, as well as a warm winter jacket for mountains and glaciers in Switzerland. Casual attire is on order during the day. Formal attire or a dark suit is suggested to enter casinos or certain occasions.

Do not over pack, leave space for purchases in Europe. To avoid over loading your suitcase, the less is the better. Any luggage must have a lock and baggage tag listing the name, address in the US, telephone number as well as tour code.

Baggage allowance for USA-Europe flight may vary by airlines and is subject to change at any time. Please check with airlines online before departure. The standard free baggage allowance of American Airlines is one pieces per person for checked baggage with size allowed (length+width+height) 62 in/158cm each, maximum free weight allowed 50 lbs/ 23 kg each, carry-on baggage is limited to one piece.

Baggage is at the owner¡¦s risk throughout. For your own convenience and the limited tour coach capacity in Europe, it is strongly suggested to bring one checked luggage and one SMALL carry-on piece per person.

Please use luggage tags provided by Peony Tours for easy identification.

Consider including one night¡¦s essentials for whole family in one of the suitcases or in your carry on bag to avoid inconvenience in case of loss or delayed flight.

Keep your personal necessities and valuables with you instead of packing them in check in luggage. Never leave your valuables on the bus.

The tour fare does not include any porter service at hotels. In order to make appropriate arrangement, please notify the tour director in advance if you need porter service. The charge varies by different hotels, and approximates US$5 per piece each hotel.

Casual attire, comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, hat, sun-block lotion, insect-spray, swimming suit, rain coat and short pants, etc..

Books, magazines, cassettes, walker-man and snacks, etc.

Hair dryer, shaver, voltage converter (220V for Europe) and adapters.

To protect the global environment, European hotels rarely provide toothbrush, toothpaste, slippers, or hair dryer. Please prepare for yourself.

Camera, camcorder, battery, film, solution for contact lenses, etc. You may have no time to look for these items on tour besides it may cost you more expensive.

The importation of certain goods, such as animal skins, counterfeit and pirated goods, is prohibited or restricted for all travelers whether to travel into the Europe or return to the U.S. It is YOUR responsibility to ensure you are not breaking the law.

No matter the country from which you are departing or entering, it is always important to understand airport and airline safety and security, remembering to cooperate with airport, airline and customs officials.

Traveler¡¦s checks are of best choice. However, since the exchange rate for travelers check are lower in some of the European countries, it is suggested to prepare sufficient cash.

Credit cards are widely accepted except Discover Card. ATM is available in some cities. It is suggested to bring two credit cards.

All travelers entering or leaving the EU with a sum equal to or exceeding 10,000 euros have to declare the amount in writing to Customs without being individually requested to do so.

It is very common in Europe that travelers have to pay to use restrooms. It is advised that you bring some coins at all time.

Meals will be provided as specified in itinerary.

It's of customer¡¦s own decision to join in and pay for any optional sightseeing provided by the local operator. Peony Tours does not take any responsibility of it.

$1200-$1800 in cash is generally enough each person (not for purchase of big or brand-name items or entertainment)

For direct dialing to Europe, the country codes and time differences are listed below for your reference. Hotel telephone costs high. You may want to bring your cell phone . Your tour conductor or local guide will assist you in this matter.

* From USA to Europe, dial: 011 + country code + city code + local number
* From Europe to USA, dial: International code + 1 + city code + local number

	Country Code	Time difference with U.S. Eastern Standard Time Zone
United Kingdom	44	+5
Portugal	351	+5
France	33	+6
Germany	49	+6
Italy	39	+6
Holland	31	+6
Sweden	46	+6
Switzerland	41	+6
Hungary	36	+6
Luxembourg	352	+6
Norway	47	+6
Poland	48	+6
Spain	34	+6
Austria	43	+6
Belgium	32	+6
Denmark	45	+6
Finland	358	+7
Russia	7	+8

Keep an eye on your personal belongs and valuables at all time.

Respect other group members, your tour guides and drivers.

Cooking is not allowed in any hotel in Europe.

Always be cautious when staying at a hotel. Never allow strangers into your room.

For the protection of your own interests, read carefully your itinerary and hotel information before departure. Leave a copy to your family.

A nice & smooth trip counts on every group member¡¦s high cooperation. It is important to follow the indicated meeting time and meeting point. Use read colored name badhe provided by Peony Tours for easy identification.

For flight delay, flight cancel or any other emergency, please immediately contact Peony Tours for assistance:

Headquarters: 626-289-2450
Los Angeles: 626-289-1010
San Francisco: 650-259-9983
New York: 212-973-1998

Tipping is at your discretion. As a guideline, Peony Tours recommends the following gratuities (GBP in the United Kingdom, EURO in other countries of Europe):
Through tour conductor-- £á4 or £4 per guest per day
Local guides --£á1 or £1 (half day), £á2 or £2 (full day)
Local drivers --£á1 or £1 (half day), £á2 or £2 (full day)
Long distance coach driver -- £á2 or £2 per guest per day

Following exchange rates are as of February, 2010 for your reference:

COUNTRY UNIT OF CURRENCY US$1- EQUALS

United Kingdom	Pound	0.63
Russia	Ruble	30.00
Czech Republic	Koruny	18.80
Croatia	Kuna	5.10
Hungary	Forint	196.60
Denmark	Krone	5.40
Norway	Krone	5.80
Sweden	Krone	7.10
Belgium	Euro	0.72
Germany	Euro	0.72
Austria	Euro	0.72
Italy	Euro	0.72
Switzerland	Euro	0.72
France	Euro	0.72
Spain	Euro	0.72
Portugal	Euro	0.72
Finland	Euro	0.72
Slovenia	Euro	0.72
Netherland	Euro	0.72
Luxembourg	Euro	0.72

Click to View: TEMPERATURES FOR MAJOR EUROPEAN CITIES

Italy Essence 10 Days (Tour Code: PEI)

London & Paris 8 Days (Tour Code: ECTC)

Europe Essence 10 Days (Tour Code: ECEE)

Europe Delight 12 Days (Tour Code: PEF)

Europe Highlight 17 Days (Tour Code: PEU)

Spain & Portugal 12 Days (Tour Code: PSP)

Eastern Europe Discovery 12 Days (Tour Code: PED)

Scandinavia & Fjords 12 Days (Tour Code: ECSF)

Golden Ring of Russia 10 Days (Tour Code: ECMR)
Click to download: Know Before You Go Russia