Student Travel Tips

FINAL ITINERARY

The listed departure time is accurate; the arrival time is subject to possible transportation delays, etc.  For all groups, we suggest that group leaders organize a telephone chain, and then on your return make a pre-arranged phone call about two hours from your home destination to the first person on the list.  Other parents can then be informed of the arrival time.  The activities listed on the itinerary are those which have been arranged for your group.  It is possible that the timing of some activities could be rearranged.  It is strongly recommended that both the student and parent have a copy of the final itinerary.

LUGGAGE (DON’T OVERPACK)

Please take only ONE suitcase plus a carry-on, if you like, for incidental items.  You should be able to fit all your clothes into one medium suitcase and still have room for souvenirs to bring home.  For air travelers: airlines have become very strict about the size of carry-on luggage (it must fit under the plane seat).  Please DO NOT overpack.  You will be carrying your own luggage much of the time.

We ask travelers to limit luggage to one suitcase per person and one carry-on bag.  As a good rule-of-thumb, pack a suitcase with only what one expects to wear or need.  Non-essential garments should be kept to a minimum, thereby lightening the load and enhancing personal comfort while in transit (travelers will be required to lift and/or carry their own luggage).  The same rule applies to carry-on bags, as the traveler must keep this in their own possession.

HOTELS / LODGING

Your hotel with its phone number will be listed on the final itinerary.  Rooms are pre-assigned by the school staff prior to departure and room keys will be distributed upon arrival.  We will follow the rooming list prepared by your group leaders as closely as possible, but adjustments may have to be made.  Please remember that you are representing your school and community, and your actions and behavior should be respectful.  Running in the halls, slamming doors, loud talking, damage to property, overuse of the telephones to call room to room, etc. will not be tolerated and could result in removal of your entire group from the hotel.  All phone calls should be made from pay telephones in the lobby or cell phones.  Be aware that ANY charges you personally incur while a guest at a hotel for damage caused by you and/or your roommates must be paid immediately before departure.  Please note that if your group arrives early (i.e., before the previous night’s guests have checked out), your rooms may not be ready for immediate occupancy.  If this is the case, arrangements will be made to store your luggage and you will be advised as to when the rooms will be available.

CUSTOMS

Anyone traveling outside of the U.S. (including Canada) for up to 48 hours is allowed to bring back no more than $200 worth of goods acquired while out of the country, duty (tax) free.  If you are out of the country for more than 48 hours, the tax free allotment increases to $800.  For further details, contact your local United States Customs office.

CURRENCY (INTERNATIONAL DESTINATIONS)

A debit credit-card is the best protection for carrying money.  We suggest that travelers do not carry large amounts of cash.  For credit card purchases, the rate of exchange will be the date the transaction is posted or billed to the credit card.

Travelers may wish to buy some foreign currency before departing and exchange money as required once they are at their destination.  The best exchange rate for the United States dollar is usually found at a bank.  For a small fee, a United States bank with an International Department can exchange money for a traveler prior to a traveler's departure, and foreign currency bills (not coins) upon the traveler's return.  As ATMs vary widely overseas and a United States ATM card may not always be accepted, we recommend that travelers do not rely solely upon an ATM for travel funds.

IDENTIFICATION

Airline travelers MUST have government issued identification available at check-in (no exceptions).  All international destinations (including Canada) need identification showing their citizenship (i.e., a passport).  If a traveler has not already done so, you MUST obtain a United States Passport immediately.  Also, a traveler's passport, as suggested by the United States government, should be valid for six months after a traveler's return to the United States.  Non-United States citizens should check with their consulate for documentation requirements.

Expired passports are NOT accepted.  A traveler's tickets and other travel documents must match the name as it is listed on the passport: first, last and middle initial.  For more information on passports, visit the Department of State Passports and Services Information at http://travel.state.gov.

If by chance you lose your identification or passport, etc., please inform your group leader immediately.  Keep your identification papers in a safe place at all times.  Never leave your identification in your suitcase in a hotel room.

Any minors traveling without one or both parents are required to present notarized permission for travel from the absent parent(s).  Have at least two original documents notarized.  The temporary guardian/escort needs to carry a copy and keep this with his/her identification.  If the child is old enough to be responsible for his/her papers, he/she should also carry a copy.

HEALTH INFORMATION

For your own safety and protection, please make sure that your group leader has your completed and signed health/medical release form.  Should you need emergency medical services while on your tour, this information must be provided to the hospital, doctors, etc. before any treatment will be rendered (note any allergies, medications or special conditions that may exist).  This information is considered confidential and will only be used by your group leader in case of an emergency.  Please note that if your child needs medical, dental, health or hospital services, you as a parent/legal guardian must give permission.  IT’S THE LAW.

Discovery Tours, Inc.
24719 Dundee Drive
Cleveland, OH 44143

TOLL FREE NATIONWIDE
P:  (800) 590.2669
P:  (216) 531.8884
F:  (216) 531.8885
info@discoverycleveland.com

Home | Student Tours | Baseball Tours | Motor Coach Tours | Cruise Adventures
Natural Heritage Tours | Vacation Getaways | Group Travel | Railroad Adventures
Disney World Vacations | General Tour Information | Frequent Traveler Program
Travel Shows | Newsletters | Downloads | Site Map | Contact Us

Copyright © 2008 Discovery Tours, Inc.  All rights reserved.  Legal Notices.
Discovery Tours and find more to discover are service marks of Discovery Tours, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.