FAQ'S

Travel Tips

Passport and Travel Documents
All U.S. and Canadian citizens are required to have a valid passport for entry into virtually all foreign countries. To get a passport, apply at least two months in advance to either your local passport agency or designated post office. You will need two photos, original birth certificate, or expired passport if you have one. For more information on passport services visit http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html. You will receive a flight bag, travel wallet, luggage tags, name badges, complete hotel information, and flight schedules. Seats on the aircraft will be pre assigned to facilitate the check-in process. Boarding passes will be distributed at the airport. Our representative will be on hand to assist you. We do our best to accommodate all of our pilgrims, but the airlines do not guarantee that all special seating requests can be accommodated.We recommend that you wear your name badge at the airports for security purposes and when the group is scheduled for activities together. This will facilitate group check-in at airports and locations where entrance fees are necessary, as well as identify you as a member of the group with all Peter's Way representatives.You may wish to place your passport and airline ticket in your hotel's safe to avoid losing important documentation. You will only need your passport at the airports, border crossings, and for currency exchange. You must not discard any portion of your airline ticket as you will need it for your return. Always carry your passport in a safe place. Should your passport be lost or stolen, it will be necessary to complete a police report and contact the American Embassy to replace it.

Baggage and Customs
Please put Peter's Way baggage tags on all your luggage. Be sure to include the following information: the name of your tour, your name and home or church address, and the name of the hotel(s) you are staying at, including dates. This will facilitate identification of your luggage at hotels and airports.

Peter's Way recommends that you travel light, by bringing one piece of luggage to check and one small piece to carry on to the aircraft. Each airline has guidelines for baggage weight, number of pieces, and size/dimensions. Please check your carrier's website for the most current guidlines to avoid additional charges. Upon arrival at your first overseas destination, you will pass through Passport Control, then claim your luggage, and proceed to Customs. Outside the customs area you will be met by your Peter's Way representative. If for any reason, your baggage has not arrived or has been damaged, do not leave the Customs area. Notify the baggage claim office immediately and fill out a claim form with the airline. Only this will immediately process the search and recovery of your luggage or verify a damage claim.

Money Matters
For security, it is best to carry traveler's checks instead of large sums of cash. It is a good idea to have some traveler's checks in $10, $20, and $50 denominations. However, please be aware that each check exchanged for local currency will incur a fee. Keep a list of your traveler's check numbers separate from your wallet, purse, or passport, and leave a copy at home as well.

If you do take cash, it is recommended to take small denomination bills. One currency exchange fee will be incurred each time you change money, no matter how many bills are changed. Major credit cards such as American Express, Master Card and Diner's Club are widely accepted. Be sure to write down your account numbers in the event that the card is lost. You may wish to exchange dollars prior to departure. Your final documents will include the approximate exchange rate of the local currency.The absolute minimum that we recommend exchanging upon arrival at the airport is $300.00 USD. Please consider the length of your tour and meals which may not be included. Our programs will keep you very busy and it is likely that you will be touring when city banks are open. ATM machines are becoming more available at airports and city centres abroad for your convenience.Gratuities are voluntary, but customary and recommended. In general we recommend the equivalent of Euro 3,00 per day for the Tour Manager/Escort, Euro 1,00 per day for the guide (if one is assigned in addition to the escort) and Euro 2,00 per day for the bus driver. Suggested gratuities for maids and after provided meals is Euro 1,00 per person, per day. Tips for the driver and Tour Manager are normally given as a group at the end of the tour. Other gratuities are usually handled individually.

Clothing /Packing
We recommend that you dress in layers and travel light, keeping colors coordinated. Layers of clothing will allow you to adapt to any weather changes that might occur during the day. Most of your cloths should be wash and wear. Laundry service is very expensive at hotels. A definite must is a raincoat and a collapsible umbrella. Weather information for your destination and season of travel will accompany your final documents.
Your dress should be casual. There are only a few instances when you will want to be more formally dressed: a concert, public Mass or Papal Audience. In churches and Vatican properties, shorts are not permitted and upper arms must be covered. You will be doing a considerable amount of walking on your pilgrimage, so take a comfortable pair of walking shoes that are already broken in.

Medication/Eyeglasses
Take an adequate supply of all medication. Always carry all medication in its original package, and keep it in your carry-on bag, never in your suitcase. Pharmacist's labels should clearly indicate doctor's instructions. It is advised to carry a copy of all prescriptions for medication with you. Always carry notification of your allergy or medical problem and make sure a group member is aware in the event of an emergency. If you wear eyeglasses, you may want to carry a spare pair in case of loss or damage, If you don't have an extra pair, it might be wise to carry a copy of your lens prescription.

Camera
Bring all the film, flash, and batteries you think you will need for your trip. You may be able to find these supplies abroad, but they will most likely be very expensive.

Valuables
Never leave anything of value in your hotel room. Use safe deposit boxes which are offered at a nominal charge at all hotels.

Water
We suggest that anyone with any doubts about his/her ability to adapt to foreign water should consume only bottled water. It is inexpensive and you will find it convenient to have a bottle with you while touring. Remember, walking can make you thirsty, and frequent drinking will help avoid dehydration.

Walking
Many cities in Europe and the Middle East have preserved their past by creating beautiful pedestrian promenades where once there were winding , narrow streets. This limits motorcoach access and involves a fair amount of walking to see the main attractions. In addition, touring the centuries old castles, museums, churches, and other historical sights frequently involves stairs.

Destination Research
We suggest that you visit your local library, or go online, to do some brief research concerning your location. Fodor's and Michelin produce excellent travel guides which may help you plan some activities during leisure time and perhaps provide more detailed advance knowledge that may be shared during a guided sightseeing session.

Miscellaneous
Take a small notebook for keeping a travel journal and personal notes. Your observations and recorded impressions of your tour will become your most valued souvenir in the years to come. Please remember that any mail sent from the states will take seven days or longer to reach you. Leave a list of all hotel names and telephone numbers with a reliable person at home.

For those participants traveling to Vatican City, please remember to bring any religious articles to the Sunday noon Papal Blessing and Wednesday morning Papal Audience in St. Peter's Square.You may arrive overseas at your first destination in the morning hours, local time. Since hotel rooms are frequently not ready early in the morning, most tours involve up to a half day of activity, most often bus sightseeing, on the first day prior to hotel arrival.The motor coaches you will be transported in may not have a restroom. However, for your comfort between cities, the bus will stop often with no more than one and one-half to two hours between convenience stations. Modern public facilities will be available while touring. It is customary to leave change in local currency (about Euro 0,25) with an attendant if there is one on premises.When making telephone calls internationally, we recommend that you use a calling card, as hotels often charge exorbitant fees. Hotel lobbies usually provide public phones so that you may dial direct avoiding any imposed connection fees. The least expensive times to place calls are 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. local time and all day on Sunday.Please consider others by being on time. Fifteen minutes wasted four times a day is an hour that can never be made up without taking time away from other stops.

Your Tour Manager
A tour manager is a guide, a lecturer, a problem solver, an arranger and a friend in times of need. They try to be all things to all people. This dedication makes them not unlike a juggler trying to keep everyone happy at once, especially when you consider that each guest has individual opinions, likes and dislikes. Should you encounter a problem, please notify your tour manager immediately so that it may be resolved.

Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers

1. Does Peter's Way accept credit cards?
Yes. However, deposits and insurance payments will be accepted in the form of a check or money order only. Final payments can be made by check, money order, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover. A convenience fee of $100.00 will apply to your account.

2. What is the Cancellation Policy?
See your brochure for details. For most groups, from the time your deposit is received up to 130 days prior to departure, there is a $200.00 USD non-refundable cancellation fee per person. From 129 to 100 days prior to departure, the cancellation fee will be $350 per person. For cancellations received from 99 days prior up to the day of departure the cancellation fee will be 100% of package price per person including taxes, single supplement, deviations fees and any other costs incurred (if applicable).

3. When will I get my tickets?
Approximately two to three weeks before your departure date.

4. Can I upgrade to business or first class on my flights?
Most group fares do not allow this, however, policies vary from one airline to another. Contact your Peter's Way group manager for details.

5. How do I sign up for Frequent Flyer Miles?
Contact the airline directly and provide us with your account number. We will forward to the airline in order that your account will be credited. Always, upon airline counter check-in, verify that your number has been input on your record. Retain your ticket receipt and boarding pass stubs until proper credit is received from the airline via your frequent flyer account.

6. How are seats assigned on the plane?
Generally the seats for the group are in a particular section of the plane. We try to accommodate your specific requests, however we cannot guarantee seat assignments. The airlines remind us that seat assignment is a courtesy, and equipment changes can result in seat assignment upon check-in. When provided with your boarding pass upon airline counter check-in, always ask if your seating preference was accommodated. If not, they may be able to change your seat to match your request, though sometimes not located near the bulk of your group.

7. What is the single supplement price?
The single supplement price varies for each trip. Please refer to the back of the promotional brochure, terms and conditions section, under "accommodations".

8. What are the hotel amenities in Europe?
All rooms have private baths. Other amenities vary by hotel.

9. Can I have the name and address of my hotels?
You will receive this information with your final documents, about two to three weeks prior to departure.

10. Do I have to request a double bed?
Most rooms are equipped with two unconnected twin beds. If you would like a double bed, we will request a "matrimonial bed" on your behalf, subject to availability.

11. Are there triple rooms available?
Triple Rooms, for family or friends traveling together, may be available at your hotel, but they are limited at most destinations. We discourage triple room accommodations because they are normally not spacious and there is no discount for triple occupancy. Due to European safety standards, quad bedded rooms can be found only in very rare instances, though they may exist in suite arrangements.

12. What meals are included?
See your brochure for details.

13. I have dietary needs to be addressed - who do I tell? And when?
Please include this information on your emergency contact form. We also advise that you release this information directly to your tour manager upon arrival so that they can alert the dining staff appropriately.

14. Can I drink the local water?
Yes, in most countries it is safe to drink tap water. However if you have concerns or if you have had an unpleasant experience in the past, you should consume bottled water, which is readily available at all our destinations.

15. Can I bring snacks?
You are welcome to carry packaged snacks in your bags. However, while traveling between countries, you may not transport fresh fruit and other perishable commodities, due to agricultural restrictions.

16. Do the buses have bathrooms?
Some of our contract bus services have a facility on board. However, we ask that they only be used in emergency situations, as the heavy tour schedule does not permit frequent cleanings. Bus seats nearby the facility may become unpleasant. Therefore, during motor coach rides longer than 1 1/2 to two hours in duration, your driver will make at least one stop at a restroom facility. Upon each bus disembarkation, your tour manager will advise of the nearest facilities.

17. How should I bring my medicines with me?
When traveling, by air, bus, or otherwise, you should keep your medicine, and all other essential items in your hand-carried bag. Never put medicine in your checked luggage.

18. What happens if I need medical assistance overseas?
Your tour manager and bus driver have access to first aid provisions. For more serious illness or medical emergency, please notify your tour manager immediately. A determination of hospital transport or a visit by an attending physician will be made. A list of participants that purchased medical insurance is kept with the tour manager including provider 24-hour service numbers.

19. What is the time difference?
Time differences vary depending upon your destination and time of year. For example, European destinations are five to six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. This information will be provided in your final documents.

20. How do I call my family/friends from overseas?
The most economical method is to purchase an international pre-paid phone card once you arrive at your destination. Prepaid calling cards purchased in the U.S.A. or Canada may not correspond to foreign telephone systems.

21. How much money should I bring?
Please review your brochure itinerary to consider what meals may not be included, beverage consumption while touring and at dinner, and incidentals such as gratuities and souvenirs. Small shops and restaurants, as well as street vendors may not accept credit card payment. We recommend a mixture of cash, travelers checks, one credit card, and an ATM card to cover all possibilities.

22. Where do I go to exchange my money?
You may exchange your currency in advance of your tour, upon arrival at your initial destination (airports have official banks), an initial bank stop as per your tour manager, or a currency exchange facility found in city centres. However, be aware that the bank hours in other countries may be shorter than you are accustomed to, so you may not be able to visit a bank every day. See our section on Travel Tips for more details about financial issues abroad.

23. Do I have to leave tips?
In general, we recommend the equivalent of Euro 3,00 per day for the Tour Manager/Escort, Euro 1,00 per day for the guide, and Euro 2,00 per day for the bus driver. Suggested gratuities for maids and after provided meals is Euro 1,00 per person, per day.

24. How can I reach my Group Manager at Peter's Way?
Call our New York office at 1-800-225-7662, or 516-997-6505 (inside NY)

25. When do I get my Peter's Way flight bag?
Your local group leader will typically distribute the flight bags at a meeting prior to departure, with excess available at the airport upon departure.

26. What is the dress code at St. Peter's and/or other churches?
Dress should be respectful and modest. Shoulders must be covered. Shorts are not permitted. Women are not required to wear head coverings. Slacks are fine everywhere.