YOUR TOUR
YOUR PEOPLE
Your Group Organizer is the main leader of your group. They have brought you all together on this exciting adventure, they’ve set the rules and guidelines, and helped create the itinerary of your lifetime! However, there are a few other incredible folks that will become familiar to you over the course of your tour.
Local Guides
Tour Director (TD)
Most groups staying abroad will be accompanied by a passports TD. TDs are chosen for their outstanding personal qualities, scholastic achievements, organizational skills, and their ability to identify with students. These individuals are not just guides; they are educators, historians, and sometimes even troubleshooters. Their in-depth knowledge of local customs, operations, history, educational landmarks (and so much more!) transforms each trip from enjoyable to profoundly enriching. They are responsible for all operational needs and requirements, such as guiding, checking into hotels, transfers, briefings, announcements, ferry and train tickets, reconfirming meal reservations, and even planning activities during free time. Your TD takes a professional attitude toward those responsibilities and will be an integral part of a successful tour. Please be respectful and enjoy getting to know your TD. He or she will help you make the most of your trip.
Tours which have included highlights that require in-depth descriptions generally rely on local guides. Local guides are people who have been certified to guide groups through specific sights.
Bus Drivers
Local bus drivers are used for day excursions and local sightseeing. These drivers do not stay with the group, so it is very important not to leave any of your possessions on these buses.
Long-distance bus drivers stay with the group day after day and play a much bigger role in your tour than a local driver. They work closely with your TD and often add insight that can enhance your road trip.
ITINERARY PACE
Every tour is unique, with its own rhythm and pace. Whether your adventure is filled with leisurely strolls through ancient cities or exhilarating bus rides across borders, getting familiar with your itinerary beforehand can greatly enhance your experience. Take a moment to review the flow of your trip—note the days you'll be in each city and strategize the optimal moments for essentials like currency exchange or picking up those perfect souvenirs.
Travel-Intensive Itineraries
Some itineraries are designed to immerse you in the breadth of landscapes, cities, and cultures. These travel-intensive tours are a whirlwind of discovery, connecting you to a mosaic of experiences across different destinations. Embracing this pace means staying agile and ready to move, ensuring you soak in as much as possible within the time frames.
Punctuality
Rest & Rejuvenate
Less Travel-Intensive Itineraries
Alternatively, less travel-intensive tours offer the luxury of time in fewer places, allowing for a deeper exploration of each destination's nuances. However, even with extended stays, you'll quickly realize how vast the tapestry of each city's stories and sights can be. Planning is your best tool to uncover as much as you can, making every moment count.
Punctuality keeps group travel intact. A delay of five minutes waiting for a person here and there can add up to half an hour, and that can mean a missed ferry or scheduled visit for the entire group. Respect each other’s experience.
Remember, some days will dawn earlier than others. Adequate rest is not just a recommendation—it's essential. Recharging your batteries ensures you're ready to embrace each day's adventures fully, from sunrise explorations to starlit strolls.
NAVIGATION EXPLORATION
Step Into Your Journey
There’s no sugarcoating it — be prepared for extensive amounts of walking! Embrace the path less traveled on foot, the most authentic way to immerse yourself in the heart of historic cities. Begin preparing now with daily brisk walks, gradually extending your endurance as your departure date approaches. This practice isn't just about fitness; it's about readying yourself for the adventure of discovery that awaits.
SAFETY FIRST
Mastering Public Transit
Dive into the local way of life by navigating the city's public transportation networks. Whether it's hopping on a bus or gliding beneath the streets in the subway, you'll have the freedom to explore far and wide. While some transfers are included in your Passports tour, embracing public transit for additional excursions will be part of your journey. We'll guide you on when and how to purchase tickets, how to navigate, and ensure you're well-prepared for seamless exploration.
When adventuring abroad, remember that not all streets are like those back home. Some countries drive vehicles on the opposite side of the road, and a double take before crossing ensures your safety. This simple habit is your shield in navigating the charming yet unfamiliar streets of destinations like The UK, some Greek Islands, the Caribbean, and beyond.
WEATHER HAPPENS
You’d be surprised how much preparing for the elements can make or break your day on tour. Weather can be as unpredictable as it is beautiful. Checking the forecast for your destination before packing can guide you in preparing for the expected conditions. However, always pack for the unexpected – a compact umbrella and a layer for warmth can be lifesavers in swiftly changing climates.
Sunny Days & Heatwaves
On those glorious sunny days, the allure of exploration under the clear blue sky is irresistible. However, the sun's embrace, while warm, calls for mindful protection:
Sunscreen is Your Shield: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF before heading out and reapply every two hours, or more frequently if you're swimming or sweating. Don't forget easily missed spots like the tops of your ears, back of your neck, and your feet!
Stay Hydrated: High temperatures and low humidity can quietly deplete your hydration levels. Carry a reusable water bottle and sip regularly throughout the day. Avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol, as they can increase dehydration.
Dress Smart: Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing in light colors reflects sunlight. Hats with wide brims and sunglasses with UV protection are essential companions.
When Raindrops Fall
Rainy weather adds a different hue to your travels, from the rhythmic patter on city streets to the fresh scent of nature. Here’s how to stay dry and enjoy the liquid sunshine:
Waterproof Gear: A lightweight, waterproof jacket or poncho and a travel umbrella should always find a place in your daypack. Waterproof footwear or shoe covers can also keep your feet happy.
Protect Your Belongings: Keep your electronics and important documents in waterproof bags or containers. A simple zip-lock bag can guard your phone or camera against unexpected downpours. You could also leave your electronics at the hotel and use this time for a little disconnect from the digital screen.
Hats and travel-sized umbrellas are always helpful, too!
POSITIVE MINDSET
Venturing beyond your borders is an invitation to the extraordinary, a chance to immerse yourself in the unfamiliar and the awe-inspiring. Remember, the essence of travel lies not in seeking the familiar but in embracing the new. Approach each day with a positive and realistic outlook, ready to discover and appreciate the world's diverse tapestry.
Every person you meet holds a story, a piece of the puzzle that makes their culture unique and vibrant. Approach interactions without preconceived notions, allowing genuine connections to flourish. Respect and kindness towards both your travel companions and locals pave the way for mutual understanding and enriching exchanges.
Navigating Challenges
Be a Beacon of Positivity
In the realm of international travel, the unexpected is part of the adventure. Whether it's a cultural quirk that surprises you or a delay in transit, maintaining a flexible and positive attitude transforms these moments into opportunities for growth and enjoyment. Remember, it's the unforeseen stories that often become the most cherished memories.
It's natural to encounter moments of culture shock or impatience, but how you respond shapes your experience. Steer clear of comparing everything to 'back home' and vocalizing dissatisfaction. Embrace the differences; after all, they're why you chose to explore. Delays and deviations are chances to delve deeper into the local scene—perhaps uncovering hidden gems not listed in any guidebook.
Strive to be the traveler who uplifts the group, whose enthusiasm and openness inspire others. Your journey is a shared narrative, where each member plays a part in crafting an unforgettable experience. By fostering a supportive and positive environment, you ensure that not only you but everyone with you returns home with stories of joy, discovery, and newfound perspectives.
THE GOOD STUFF
Embarking on a Passports tour is not just a journey across borders—it's a voyage into the heart of global cuisines. Each meal is an opportunity to explore, to taste, and to celebrate the rich tapestry of flavors that define a culture. Here's how to make the most of your dining experiences while maintaining optimal health and hydration.
Hydration on tour is vital. From the moment you take off to the last day of your tour, keeping hydrated is key. Long flights, extensive walks, and the excitement of new experiences demand a lot from your body. Drinking plenty of water ensures you stay energized and ready for adventure. Tap water in most European destinations is not only safe, but delicious. If you’re concerned, you can always confirm with your TD; when in doubt, opt for bottled water.
Dining with Passports
Passports tours are celebrated for their culinary offerings, blending the comfort of familiar foods with the thrill of new tastes. We encourage you to dive into the culinary diversity with an open mind. Why travel the globe only to stick to what you know? Resist the familiar fast-food chains and instead, let your taste buds lead you on a journey of discovery.
Breakfast Delights: Each morning, an array of choices awaits, from cereals and yogurts to local meats and pastries. Breakfasts almost always promise a taste of the local alongside your morning staples.
Lunchtime Explorations: While lunches are generally yours to explore independently, they offer the perfect opportunity to sample local eateries and street food. On days packed with activities, we might swap dinner for a special lunch, ensuring you get a taste of everything.
Dinner Discoveries: Dinners are included as listed in your itinerary, and are an absolute highlight, with menus crafted to introduce you to the region's culinary delights. Note, excessive beverages are typically not included, and any extras like soft drinks or bottled water will later be charged for if consumed. Remember, the focus is on the experience, not the extras!
Allergies & Dietary Restrictions
When you enroll with Passports, you'll be asked about dietary restrictions. These are later passed on to the Tour Director, all restaurants, confirmed 2 days prior for each restaurant and the day of your meal. We take food allergies very seriously to provide a safe trip for every one of our participants.
Other requests, like vegetarian or vegan meals, are also passed along to every supplier on tour. As these dietary preferences have become more common throughout Europe, the restaurants have done a great job of being accommodating to our groups.
TLDR: We strive to meet all special dietary requests, from allergies to vegetarian to kosher and beyond. While we cannot guarantee every need will be perfectly met, we promise to make every effort. Please communicate any dietary restrictions or allergies to us well in advance, allowing us to prepare for your arrival with our above process.