Getting Ready For Your Tour

Health

Physical Demands
Prepare for a physically demanding tour. Age is not a concern so long as you are physically fit, a very good walker, and able to stand for extended periods of time and climb lots of stairs. You are required to carry your own bag from the bus to your hotel room. This can involve a 15-minute walk and a climb up several flights of stairs (some of our hotels do not have elevators). For sightseeing, plan on walking 6-8 miles during the most active days, over uneven surfaces, and up and down lots of stairs. For specific details about the physical requirements for our tours visit the Activity Level page for each tour at www.ricksteves.com/tours. On the Daily Itinerary pages we have also noted the walking requirements of each day to help you determine if the tour is right for you.

Special Dietary Needs
While we cannot take responsibility for those with special dietary needs or allergies, vegetarians and those with diet restrictions usually manage fine with a little flexibility and willingness to supplement meals at their own expense as needed. Please discuss your dietary needs and restrictions with your guide so he or she can assist you with group meals when possible.

Smoking
This is a no smoking tour. Unless you are on fire, you will never be allowed to smoke on the bus or in your hotel room at any time, or anywhere indoors where other tour members are present. At the same time, keep in mind that we cannot always isolate smoke-sensitive tour members from the many locals who light up.

Required Travel Documents: Passports and Visas

Passports: Apply today for a new or renewal passport to participate in a 2012 Rick Steves tour and check your passport expiration date. Your passport expiration date should be at least six months after your planned return date — if it isn't or you don't have a passport — apply today.

  • To get a new US passport (good for 10 years) the cheapest and slowest way, you'll pay $135 as a first-timer, or $110 to renew, and probably wait about 3-6 weeks. The fee for minors under 16 is $105 for a passport good for five years — kids under 16 must apply in person with at least one parent and the other parent's notarized permission. You can apply at some courthouses and post offices, as well as municipal buildings such as your City Hall. We recommend you apply at least two months prior to your tour departure. If you can't wait that long, tack on an additional $60 rush fee (plus overnight shipping both ways) and you should get your passport by mail within two weeks.
  • If you can provide proof that you have to leave within two weeks (by showing a purchased plane ticket), you should call to make an in-person appointment at one of 13 regional passport agencies located in major cities throughout the USA (http://travel.state.gov/passport) and you will receive your passport during the appointment. To make this appointment, call the National Passport Information Center's automated appointment line at 877-487-2778 (this automated appointment system is open 24 hours).
  • If you're taking one of the slower/cheaper options, 5-7 days after you apply, you can check the status of your passport application and its estimated arrival date through the State Department website at www.travel.state.gov.

For more information, visit www.travel.state.gov or look in the front of your local phone book under "Federal (or US), Passports."

Send passport details to ETBD: We require the details from the picture page of each tour member's passport prior to starting the tour. You may submit this information when placing your initial tour order on our website at www.ricksteves.com. You may also submit the information by calling us: 425-608-4217, faxing us: 425-771-0833 or mailing it to us.

VISAS: US & Canadian citizens need visas to enter Turkey and Russia. Turkish visas can be easily obtained upon your arrival at the Istanbul airport using cash and exact change only. For US citizens, the cost is $20; for Canadian citizens the cost is $60 US or €45. You may apply for a 30-day Russian visa no earlier than 90 days before your tour departs. ETBD does not process visas; however, at least 100 days prior to the tour departing, ETBD tour members will receive a packet of visa processing information which outlines how to get a Russian visa. It usually takes 2-3 weeks for your Russian visa to be processed and the costs will be between $140-$250 depending upon whether you chose to have your application processed locally or you mail it to a visa servicing center. Up-to-date visa information can be found at: www.travel.state.gov or passportvisasexpress.com and 1-888-596-6028. Holders of passports from any country other than the USA or Canada must check the visa requirements prior to departure. You are responsible for obtaining all required travel documents prior to participating in this tour and failure to do so will result in the forfeiture of all tour payments if you are unable to join the tour. No shots are currently required for travel in Western Europe, Turkey or Russia. You should, however, check with your doctor to see if you're up-to-date with regular immunizations such as tetanus, hepatitis, tuberculosis, etc.

Customs

Each US resident is allowed to return from Europe with $800 worth of duty-free goods. For more information, see the travel section at http://www.customs.gov/ or look up their number in the front of your local phone book under "Federal (or US) Customs."

Mailing Packages

On Rick Steves' tours, we try to minimize the shopping focus that dominates other tours at the expense of sightseeing. But even with our tight security, shoppers manage to infiltrate our groups. You can "deep store" purchases under the bus until the end of your tour (does not apply on our 7-day city tours, 8-day Barcelona & Madrid tours, 9-day St. Petersburg, Tallinn & Helsinki and Heart of Italy tours, 10-day Venice, Florence & Rome tours, 12-day Berlin, Prague & Vienna and Heart of Portugal tours, 14-day Athens & Heart of Greece and England tours or 16-day Spain with Morocco tours). Packages mailed from Europe can take six weeks or longer to arrive and postage can be quite expensive. Save money and hassles: bring an empty bag and carry your purchases home. Our Hide-Away Tote Bag is perfect for this (and doubles as a handy on-the-road laundry bag).

Photography

Your camera is the most likely thing to get lost, broken or stolen. Bring an expensive one only if you're a serious photographer. It's a good idea to label your camera with name, address, phone and travel email (maybe a good Samaritan will send it back). Snapshots and postcards work fine to record your memories. Digital camera users should bring an extra memory card. You may also find shops in larger cities to burn pictures onto CDs. Remember to bring extra batteries, your charger and adapter if applicable.

Language

While it's not necessary to be fluent, it is nice to master a few basic courtesies such as "Please", "Thank you" and "Where is the toilet?" Europe/Regional tour members receive a copy of the appropriate Rick Steves' phrase book complete with phonetic translations, when applicable. You will also find a page of helpful phrases in each of Rick's guidebooks.

Railpasses and Car Rental

Most railpasses are not sold in Europe and must be purchased before you leave home. Contact our Rail Department at 425-771-8303 ext 214 or rail@ricksteves.com.

If you're renting a car before or after your tour, rentals are usually cheaper when arranged before your trip (online or through your hometown travel agent). An International Driving Permit is required if driving in Spain, Italy, Austria, Greece, Poland, or Hungary (get it at AAA before your departure — for $15 plus tax and the cost of two passport photos, www.aaa.com).