Helpful Hints
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BREKKE TOURS & TRAVEL 2019 HELPFUL HINTS FOR TRAVEL IN SCANDINAVIA This document is designed to answer some of the most commonly asked questions. Please read through carefully and contact us with any further questions. PAGEAGE 22 TABLE OF CONTENTS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ...................................... 4-5 AIRLINE / CUSTOMS INFORMATION Airline Tickets ..................................................................... 6 Airline Seating .................................................................... 6 Domestic Tickets ................................................................ 7 Duty Free Allowance .......................................................... 7 Flight Check-in .................................................................... 8 Frequent Flyer Programs .................................................... 8 Luggage ......................................................................... 9-10 Meals on Board................................................................. 11 Passport & Visas .............................................................. 11 Transfers From/To Airport ................................................ 12 AIRPORT INFORMATION Minneapolis / St. Paul Airport ........................................... 13 Boston Logan Airport ........................................................ 14 JFK Airport ........................................................................ 14 Newark Liberty Airport ...................................................... 14 O’Hare Airport-Chicago .................................................... 15 Seattle-Tacoma Airport ..................................................... 15 Washington Dulles Airport ................................................ 15 Norway Airports ........................................................... 16-17 Stopover Airports ......................................................... 18-19 Staying Comfortable on Airplanes .................................... 19 CURRENCY Credit Cards and ATM Cards............................................ 20 Currency Exchange .......................................................... 20 Exchange Rates ............................................................... 21 How much Currency to have on-hand .............................. 21 BREKKE TOURS & TRAVEL PAGE 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS HOTELS AND MEALS Electric Current ................................................................. 22 Food and Meal Service / Request ..................................... 22 Hotel Rooms .................................................................... 23 Tipping, Service Charges & Taxes ................................... 23 WHAT TO PACK Clothing ............................................................................ 24 Film .................................................................................. 24 Gifts .................................................................................. 24 Miscellaneous Items .......................................................... 25 Packing Tips ...................................................................... 25 SHOPPING IN SCANDINAVIA Clothing Size Conversion Chart ........................................ 26 General Shopping Hours ................................................... 26 Tax Free Shopping ........................................................... 27 Shopping Tips ................................................................... 27 GENERAL INFORMATION Climate .............................................................................. 28 Travel Insurance ............................................................... 28 Language .......................................................................... 28 Metric System ................................................................... 29 Northern Lights .................................................................. 29 Safe Guard Your Valuables ............................................... 29 Sleep Apnea Machine Requirements for Airlines .............. 29 Telephones ....................................................................... 30 Travel Tips ........................................................................ 30 EMERGENCY CONTACTS....................................................... 31 TRAVELER’S CODE OF ETHICS ............................................ 32 PAGEAGE 44 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Should I bring cash or use my Credit Card instead? We recommend using a credit card while in Scandinavia as major credit cards (American Express, Diners Club, Visa, EuroCard, and Mastercard) are honored at hotels, stores, and restaurants, and also accepted in taxis. Please note that some kiosks and retailers in Europe use a Chip and PIN system instead of the magnetic strip technology. Contact your credit card company or bank to see if this option is available and also to notify them that you will be traveling outside the US. If the Chip and PIN option is not available, ATM machines are readily available in larger cities. Cash may be exchanged at most hotels and possibly larger stores in major cities; however, the best rate of exchange is obtained at a bank or post office. We do not recommend taking travelers checks as they are not widely accepted. For more information, see pages 20-21. What is the difference between an adapter and a converter? An adapter (which changes the physical plug) and/or converter (which changes the electric current) are necessary if you plan to use an appliance (curling iron, flat iron, rollers, etc.) in Scandinavia. Please note, if your appliance has dual voltage you may still need an adapter for the plug. When packing your electronic items for travel, please review the converter electric current level to make sure it is the same or greater than the items you are planning on using. If you plan on utilizing or transporting a sleep apnea machine, please remember to pack an extension cord & adapter plug to ensure proper function. Most hotels in Scandinavia will have an iron and hair dryer available. You can also purchase dual voltage appliances (travel appliances) before leaving the US. Adaptors are available in the Brekke Store at www.BrekkeTours.com. Can I connect to the Internet while in Scandinavia? Wired or wireless Internet is usually available at hotels but there may be a fee for use. Most hotels will also have a lobby computer for guest use. Internet cafes are widespread in the larger cities. They offer pay as you go for Internet service, computer usage, etc. Can I use my cell phone in Scandinavia? Unless your US-owned cell phone is GSM dual band, it will NOT work in Scandinavia or Europe. US cell phones are not compatible with GSM standards; however, you can purchase one abroad for use. Contact your cell phone service provider regarding international plans and service outside the US. BREKKE TOURS & TRAVEL PAGE 5 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How do I get from the airport to my hotel? How much will it cost? For Escorted Tour Participants: Airport transfers in Scandinavia are included for passengers arriving/departing on designated flights of Brekke’s escorted tours. Passengers on other flights or dates are required to provide their own transportation to the tour hotel at their own expense. After deplaning and collecting your luggage, you will proceed through Passport Control (a valid passport is the only document necessary for travel to Scandinavia). You will see two exits: green if you have nothing to declare and red if you have something to declare. Choose the appropriate exit. After leaving the Customs area, continue to the Arrival Hall where you will meet your tour director. For Independent Travelers: To transfer from the airport to your hotel, you can choose from several modes of transportation. Airport buses with frequent departures run from the airport to city center and vice versa in each of the Scandinavian capitals. Trains and taxis may also be available from the airport to the city center. It may then be necessary to take a taxi from the central station to the hotel. For more information and approximate pricing, please see page 12. How do I use an Independent Travel Voucher? Why do you use vouchers? If you are traveling independently or have booked an independent pre- or post-tour option, please ensure that you have received your voucher or confirmation before departing the US. A voucher indicates that you have pre-paid for the activity/hotel/services booked; therefore you will not need additional funds to cover these items. To use a hotel voucher, simply present the voucher at the check-in desk of the hotel. To use a train voucher, you will need to present the voucher at the ticketing window in exchange for tickets. For tour/bus vouchers, present the voucher to the driver/guide before departure. Any special instructions are listed on vouchers—please read carefully and check information on voucher for accuracy. Please re-confirm the time of departure locally in the event of schedule changes. PAGE 6 AIRLINE / CUSTOMS INFORMATION AIRLINE TICKETS / E-TICKETS Domestic Flights: Passenger name must appear on the flight itinerary per your government issued ID. International Flights: Passenger name must appear on the flight itinerary per your government issued passport. Please note that airline tickets are processed electronically. Please advise immediately if the name on your flight reservation does not match your government issued identification/passport. Notification must be