DETAILED ITINERARY Estonia to Praguecdn.onthegotours.com/resources/documents/goguides/2016 Go Guid… · TRIP NOTES Estonia to Prague Estonia to Prague - 13 Days updated on 18-02-2016

TRIP NOTES

Estonia to Prague13 Days | Tallinn to Prague

Estonia to Prague - 13 Days updated on 18-02-2016

www.onthegotours.comUK 020 7371 1113 [email protected] 1300 855 684 [email protected] 0800 44 77 69 CAN 1 866 890 7038 USA 1 866 377 6147 SA 0800 982 686

This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday.Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to thisitinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa requirementsare subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours.

- 1 -

Discover the picturesque Baltic

states of Estonia, Latvia and

Lithuania before exploring Warsaw

and Krakow in Poland. Continue

through the High Tatras of Slovakia

and end in lively Prague for an

overland adventure to remember.

HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS

Trip Highlights• Tallinn - capital of Estonia. Beautiful former-

soviet walled city.• Riga - capital of Latvia. The 'Paris of the

North' Beautiful art-nouveau architectureand stately boulevards.

• Vilnius - capital of Lithuania. Beautifulbaroque city full of Orthodox and Catholicchurches.

• Warsaw - capital of Poland. Diversearchitecture, restored Gothic buildingsand a fascinating array of museums andneighbourhoods.

• Krakow - Poland's most cultural cityand former royal capital. AuschwitzConcentration Camp.

• High Tatras Mountains - border withPoland and Slovakia. Highest range in theCarpathian Mountains.

• Prague - capital of the Czech Republic.Charles Bridge, Wenceslas Square, Old TownSquare.

What's Included• 11 breakfasts• 10 nights in hotels, 1 night in guesthouse

and 1 night on an overnight train.• Airport arrival transfer on day 1• Transportation by public bus, electric train

and overnight train.• Escorted by a tour leader, English speaking

local guide at included sites.• Entrance and guided tour of KGB Museum

in Vilnius and the Auschwitz ConcentrationCamp near Krakow.

What's Not Included• Items of a personal nature and additional

meals• International flights to/from our tour start/

end points and visas

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 : Tallinn, Estonia

Upon arrival at Tallinn airport you will be metand transferred to our hotel. The remainder ofthe day is at leisure to explore Tallinn. On arrivalplease ask at the reception for information onwhen the pre departure meeting will be held.

The capital of Estonia, Tallinn, is a picturesquetown located on the Gulf of Finland. It isfamous for its enchanting historic centre, whichis listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Roamthe cobbled streets and explore scenic ruinsor climb the hill of Toompea, which is filledwith medieval buildings, 14th century churches,turrets, spires and enticing alleyways.

Tallinn also offers alluring boutique shoppingsimilar to that found in Swiss cities. The city wasthe European Capital of Culture in 2011, andthe city is full of artists and artisans so you mayalso find wonderfully made glass, weaving andpottery here. The café scene is thriving and you

TRIP NOTES

Estonia to Prague




- 2 -

can find everything from sunlit street cafés to ArtDeco style bakeries. Within the walls of the OldTown there are lots of excellent restaurants toenjoy and a thriving nightlife, with clubs openuntil the wee hours. Estonians are true beerlovers so you might like to try an authentic localbrew. Overnight - Tallinn, Estonia

Days 2-3 : Riga, Latvia

Tallinn - Riga. This morning we travel by busto Riga. Riga is more than 800 years old andits clever blend of medieval centre and moderncity infrastructure will enchant you. The UNESCOWorld Heritage listed Old Town has its ownparticular charm, while the city is also famousfor its fascinating Art Nouveau architecturalheritage which you can discover as you wanderthe streets of this ‘Paris of the East'. A must-dois a visit to Riga's most famous Gothic church,St Peter's, thought to be about 800 years old.Its famous spire has been rebuilt three times inthe same form since 1667, with its latest rebuildcompleted in 1973. Climb the spire and enjoyspectacular views over the city.

Optional Excursions St Peter’s Tower – €7 • Citytour bus – €15 • Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum – €1.50 • Wander the Art NouveauDistrict – free • Central Market, housed in oldWW2 hangars – free • Museum of Ethnic Hats –€4 • The House of Blackheads – €3 • The DomeCathedral – €3 • Latvian War Museum – €1.50• Riga Castle- €4 • Riga Academy of SciencesObservation Deck - €4 Overnight - Riga, Latvia(B:2)

Days 4-5 : Vilnius, Lithuania

Riga - Vilnius. Today we depart Latvia and headfor our third country of the tour - Lithuania. Thecapital Vilnius boasts an attractive baroque OldTown that is the largest in Eastern Europe andis praised as the 'New Prague'. Located on theedge of the Neris River, with its pine coveredhills, friendly people, and blend of old and new,this is a picturesque city well worth exploring.You will have time to explore the main sights ofthe city including Gediminas Castle on the topof Gediminas Hill and Cathedral Square at thebase of the hill, which is dominated by VilniusCathedral and its 57 metre-tall belfry.

On day 5 we visit the KGB Museum in thecity centre. Later on while you’re exploringthe square between the cathedral and thetower you should hunt for the secret stebuklas(miracle) tile. The tile marks the southern end ofthe 2 million person, 650 kilometre long humanchain between Tallinn and Vilnius, which wasformed in protest against Soviet occupation in1989. Local legend has it that if you find thepretty mosaic-covered tile you should stand onit and turn around three times clockwise whilemaking a wish, which shall then be granted.

Included Excursions KGB Museum

Optional Excursions Hot air ballooning – €100per person • Wander the Jewish Quarter – free •Go to Uzupis, the breakaway “republic” east ofthe Old Town – free • Take an alternative walkingtour (3 hours) – 'free for tips' • Grutas Park- €6.50•Trakai Castle-€5.50

Overnight - Vilnius, Lithuania (B:2)

Days 6-7 : Warsaw, Poland

Vilnius - Warsaw. Departing Lithuania wetravel across to neighbouring Poland. Warsaw,Poland's capital, has been revitalised as atourist destination. The city was almost entirelydestroyed in World War II but a lot ofeffort has gone into its rebuilding. Sincethe fall of communism many old buildingshave given way to modern sky scrapers, thedilapidated old town has been brightened up,and entertainment and services transformed tomatch that of other western capitals.

Home to various palaces, castles and citadels,Warsaw is noted for the Soviet-era Palace ofCulture and Science, as well as the marketplaceat the 10th Anniversary Stadium, a convertedfestival site where you can buy all sorts ofinteresting items. Also recommended is a visit tothe Old Town, which was rebuilt between 1949and 1963 after being destroyed in World War IIin the Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque styles ofarchitecture from the 17th and 18th centuries.You can visit the Historical Museum of Warsawand Royal Castle at nearby Old Town Square.

We arrive in the evening in time to enjoy someof the city's buzzing nightlife. However, in orderto fully explore the city and any of the optionalexcursions listed in the Trip Notes, you may wishto book post-tour accommodation.

Optional Excursions Explore the Old Town –free • Warsaw Rising Museum – PLN 18 • Palaceof Culture and Science – free (viewing tower PLN20) • Wander the Jewish district – free • LazienkiPark and Palace – PLN 30 • Wilanow Palace – PLN20 •Museum of the History of Polish Jews – PLN30 Overnight - Warsaw, Poland (B:2)

TRIP NOTES

Estonia to Prague




- 3 -

Days 8-9 : Krakow, Poland

Warsaw - Krakow. Departing the capital wehead to Poland’s more famous and culturalcity Kraków by train. Krakow has managedto preserve centuries of amazing architectureand artistic traditions as most of the historicbuildings and monuments emerged unscathedfrom World War II. Kraków was the royal capitalfor 500 years so a must-see is the royal WawelCastle, a beautiful renaissance palace whichnow houses a museum. During the evening thecosmopolitan city offers a wild nightlife, withplenty of restaurants, music clubs and bars toexplore.

Kraków is our base to visit the UNESCOlisted Auschwitz-Birkenau German NaziConcentration and Extermination Camp on day9, a sobering tribute to the people that perishedthere during the Holocaust. Situated close tothe Polish town of Oświęcim, the camp wasoriginally designed for Polish political prisonersbut became the most notorious camp of WorldWar II because an estimated 1.6 million peopleof 27 nationalities, including 1.1 million Jews,150,000 Poles and 23,000 Roma were killed bythe Nazis.

Included Excursions: Auschwitz ConcentrationCamp

Optional Excursions: Wander aroundKazimierz Jewish area – free • Explore WawelHill and Castle complex – free • Entrance toWawel Castle state rooms – PLN 17 • Royalprivate apartments – PLN 24 • Crown treasuryand armoury – PLN 17 • Entrance to cathedral– PLN 10 • Visit Wieliczka Salt Mine – PLN 65Overnight - Krakow, Poland (B:2)

Day 10 : High Tatras, Slovakia

Krakow - High Tatras. Leaving Krakow wehead by bus and private transfer in Slovakiaand the High Tatras. Constituting of a largemountain range which forms a natural borderbetween Slovakia and Poland and is the highestmountain range of the Carpathians. The tallestmountain is Gerlach at 2,655 metres, located inSlovakia just north of Poprad.

After making our way to Starý Smokovec (NovýSmokovec) we have time to relax and unwind.For the energetic there is an opportunity to goto the nearby mountains for some hiking. Thereare various paths ranging from gentle to highlydemanding, winding among spectacular peaksand rock walls. Alternatively, there are manyattractions to amuse you for the next two dayssuch as the glacial lake of Strebske Pleso, theUNESCO World Heritage-listed ruins of SpisskyHrad and the Renaissance buildings of fortifiedLevoca.

Optional Excursions: Various hiking options –free Overnight - Novy Smokovec, Slovakia (B)

Day 11 : Prague, CzechRepublic

High Tatras - Prague. Today we enjoy the lastof the crisp mountain air before we take theshort ride by electric train from Novy Smokovecto Poprad where we transfer to the 4 berthovernight train to the Czech capital of Prague.

The overnight train to Prague is made up of4 berth mixed sex cabins. Basic bedding isprovided however you may wish to bring yourown sleep sheet. We do try and keep the groupin the same cabins however sometimes this maynot be possible. Overnight - Overnight train(B)

Day 12 : Prague, CzechRepublic

We arrive into Prague in the morning. Pragueis one of the most beautiful cities in Europeand you will have plenty of free time to visitthe stunning City of 1,000 Spires, including thebustling Old Town Square where you can finda beautiful astronomical clock, the enchantingCharles Bridge where you can watch artistsand buskers at work and Wenceslas Square.There is also time to wander the lofty heightsof Hradčany Castle and St Vitus Cathedral formagical views over the city.<br><br>Prague is a town that loves to party so youmay also want to experience the nightlife asthere are many great bars and restaurants andplenty of pulsating night clubs to enjoy. Czechshave been brewing beer since the 9th centuryand invented the world’s first Pilsner, so Pragueoffers a great opportunity to sample some of theworld’s finest beers.

Optional Excursions: Explore Hradcany, alovely neighbourhood behind the Prague Castle– free • Tour the Hradcany Castle complex – CZK350 • Climb the mini Eiffel tower – CZK 50 •Wander the Jewish/Kafka Quarter – free • Takea boat cruise on the Vltava River – around CZK250 • Go to Kutna Hora, an hour’s train ride fromPrague – CZK 120 return and visit the famousBone Church (CZK 50) and beautiful St BarbaraCathedral (CZK 50) • Karlstejn Castle – CZK 270plus transport • Prague City Museum – CZK 120 •

TRIP NOTES

Estonia to Prague




- 4 -

Mucha Museum – CZK 240 Overnight - Prague,Czech Republic

Day 13 : Prague, CzechRepublicYour adventure of a lifetime comes to anend today. If you have a late flight or havelengthened your stay by adding post touraccommodation you will have more time toexplore the sights.(B)

Single SupplementIf you paid our single supplement for this tour,a single room will be provided for your comforton night's 1 - 9 and 12

Arriving into TallinnWhen arriving at Tallinn Airport we recommendthat you obtain local currency, the Euro, assoon as you arrive. There are international ATMsinside the airport, as well as money exchangeoffices offering a good rate. The rate will alwaysvary slightly depending on where you go, it maybe worth changing a small amount of money atthe airport for your transport and then finding abank or money exchange within the city centre.

Airport transferAn arrival transfer from Tallinn Airport to yourhotel is included on day 1. If you are going to bedelayed more than two hours, you must adviseus of the delay at least six hours before arrival. Ifwe are advised in time, we will make every effortto reschedule your transfer and your driver willbe asked to wait for two hours after your newexpected arrival time. However, if we are notmade aware of any change, the driver will onlywait for two hours after the original scheduledarrival time and after this point it will be upto you to arrange transport to your hotel atyour own expense. Please contact us on theemergency contact person as detailed on yourvoucher.

Making your own way

To make your own way to and from your hotel,Tallinn Airport is located about four kilometresfrom the city centre and an estimated cost of ataxi ride to the city centre is approximately €10.

By bus: the airport’s bus stop is located in frontof the terminal of arrivals. Bus No. 2 travels on

the route Mõigu - Passenger Port. In the citycentre the bus stops next to Viru Keskus at A.Laikmaa St. The bus fare is approximately €1.60and tickets are sold by the bus driver. Tickets arealso available from the R-Kiosk in the PassengerTerminal.

Your joining hotel is:

Hotel Tatari 53Tatari 53,10134 Tallinn,Estonia

Tel: (+372) 6 405 [email protected]

There are safe deposit boxes for your use(you will get an itemised receipt). Please leaveall of your important documents, money andtravellers cheques here when you go out butremember to carry some form of ID and aphotocopy of your passport with you.

It is not advisable to wear chains or expensivelooking watches or jewellery while in majorcities. You should also keep your cameraconcealed when not in use and carry daypackson your front for extra safety

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Our partners Tucan TravelPlease note that our Eastern Europe grouptours are operated by Tucan Travel. Travellerson your trip will have made their reservationwith either On The Go Tours or Tucan Travel.

Travel StyleThis is an Adventure Tour, we see a destinationfrom the locals' perspective using a variety oftransport and staying in small locally ownedaccommodation. There is a maximum of 16travellers with an average group size of 8-12.All our Adventure Tours are priced per personon a shared room basis meaning there is nocompulsory extra payment for those travellingon their own.

Keeping in TouchYour tour leader will point out internet cafesin all major cities and towns and Wi-Fi may beavailable in some hotels. Hotel details, apart

from the joining hotel, are not given in advanceand are subject to change, so if someone needsto contact you urgently during your tour, thebest method is to contact our office who canpass a message on to the tour leader.

If you intend to take your mobile phone youshould find out in advance from your networkprovider if your phone is set up for internationalroaming and if there is coverage in yourdestination. You may also find it considerablymore expensive to send texts and receive callsif you are on a non European or British Network.A much cheaper option would be to purchase atelephone card and use local pay phones.

Pre-Departure MeetingWhen you arrive on day one of your trip, youshould find some local information at the hotellobby. Your tour leader will be staying in thehotel and should have put up a welcome noteto let you know what room they are in. Apre-departure meeting is usually held in theafternoon or early evening of day one. You willneed to bring the following important items tothe meeting with your tour leader:

• Your passport, including any necessary visasand at least one photocopy to give to your tourleader• Vaccination certificates if relevant to anydestinations on your tour• Travel insurance policy and a photocopy togive to your tour leader• Your travel voucherMissing the tour departure

If you miss the start of your tour, please ask at thereception of the hotel for a message from yourtour leader which will give you instructions onhow to catch up with the group. Any associatedcosts will be at your own expense (although,depending on the reason, you may be able toclaim these from your travel insurance so ensureyou keep all receipts).

If you know in advance that you are unlikely toarrive on time, please contact us immediately sowe can inform the tour leader. On The Go Tourscannot be held responsible should your airline/boat/coach be delayed and we are unable torefund any unused portion of your tour.

TRIP NOTES

Estonia to Prague




- 5 -

Time Keeping

Punctuality is very important and throughoutthe tour your tour leader will give you the timeto meet in reception. Tour leaders will oftenpost notes at reception with meeting times, soremember to always look out for these.

Although rare, delays can occur and wetherefore advise you not to arrange youronward travel too close to the end of the tour.We take no responsibility for any missed flightsor additional expenses If the group arrives lateinto the departure city at the end of the tour.

MoneyFor personal spending money you should bringEuros alongside the local currency (whereapplicable). Generally the most convenient wayof carrying your spending money is by havingat least a couple of credit or debit cards. Themajority of cards (Visa, Diners Club, MasterCard,American Express and Maestro, Plus and Cirrusfor debit cards) are accepted in most large citiesand tourist areas. ATMs (cash machines) arewidespread. It is always best to carry a mix ofcards and cash with you, including notes in smalldenominations.

Your spending money should cover some meals,optional excursions, souvenirs, drinks, laundry,border and airport taxes and any visas obtainedlocally. We provide guideline prices for optionalexcursions in the itinerary to help you budget,but ultimately the amount you will need tobudget for your trip very much depends onyour individual requirements. We recommendbringing extra money to cover emergencies orunexpected situations.

TippingTipping is a part of the life in Europe, butyou should not feel obliged or pressured totip if you have not received good service. Agratuity of 10% of the total bill is recommendedin restaurants. Gratuities are usually expectedfor local guides on included and optionalexcursions. Tips are also appreciated by TucanTravel tour leaders at the end of your tour andwe recommend an average of $2-$4 per personper day for the duration of your tour. This is only

if you feel that their service was up to standardand is completely at your own discretion.

Packing ListThe best advice when packing is to travel lightand leave space for souvenirs in your bag.

Luggage

On our tours in Europe your luggage mustbe strictly limited to one reasonably-sized bagor backpack with a recommended maximumweight of no more than 20 kilograms/44 poundsplus one small day pack. You will have to carryyour own luggage, sometimes down cobbledstreets and up flights of stairs and cannot expectyour tour leader to carry your bags.

We recommend a frameless backpack or a sportstype shoulder bag which fits comfortably onyour shoulders, as they are less bulky andeasier to handle than rigid suitcases or framedbackpacks. Suitcases are not suitable for ourtours and are not recommended. On The Go Tours takes no responsibility for damage to yourluggage while on tour.

In addition to your main bag, you will needa small daypack for your everyday excursions.Try to keep this bag as light as possible andmake sure that all main sections of your bagscan be padlocked. This daypack should haveenough room to carry food and snacks, cameraand personal items

Sleeping Sheet

Sleeping bags are not required on this tour, buta sleeping bag liner/sleep sheet is optional if youwish to bring one along. Some passengers liketo use them on long bus journeys and overnighttrains.

Clothing and Footwear

All clothes should be lightweight, durableand easily washable. Please do not bring anymilitary or camouflage-style clothing as it canbe dangerous to wear and occasionally illegal.Nights can be cold so it is a good idea to bringat least one pair of warm trousers or jeans plusseveral thinner sweaters / fleeces which you canlayer.

Good, comfortable walking shoes are essential.These do not need to be expensive boots, butthey should have good ankle support and grip,be worn in and ideally waterproof.

Essential items:

• A lightweight water/windproof jacket withhood• Easy to pack wide-brimmed hat or cap• Swimwear• Sandals or thongs/jandals/flip flops

Suggested items:

• Money belt• Sunglasses• Small calculator• Universal washbasin plug• Travel alarm clock• Lip balm, sun block with high UV factor• Wet wipes• Cheap plastic watch• Plenty of spare memory cards for your camera• Spare rechargeable batteries for camera• Writing materials, address book and diary• Travel games, cards and a couple of paperbacks• Small medical kit with diarrhoea remedy,rehydration salts, antiseptic cream, steriledressings, plasters, bandages, pain-killers, safetypins etc.• Small collapsible umbrella• Plastic bags for waterproofing• Inflatable pillow• Towel• Travel plug adaptor with a USB port• Small sewing kit• Insect repellent (DEET 35% min) and bite cream• Antibactarial hand clensing gel• Ear plugs and sleep mask• Travel sickness tablets• Spare pair of spectacles or contact lenses andsolution• Hard drive or USB stick to back up your photos• Pocket size phrasebook• Pegless washing line & travel laundry detergent(bio-degradable preferable)

LaundryThere are usually laundromats or laundryservices in or near most of our hotels. Hotelservices can be pretty costly however your

TRIP NOTES

Estonia to Prague




- 6 -

tour leader will be able to recommend cheaperoptions. If you wash clothes yourself take carenot to be too obvious where you hang themas most hotels do not like guests washing anddrying their clothes in the hotel rooms.

Electricity SupplyIf bringing electrical equipment, make surethat you bring a two-pin/pronged, round-pinadapter/plug adapter.

Health, Fitness & SafetyPack a Medical Kit

A medical kit is handy for minor woundsand ailments. In areas with limited or dubiousmedical facilities, an emergency medical kitcontaining sterile syringes is also advisable. Bylaw our staff are not allowed to administer firstaid or give drugs to travellers, so please beprepared with your own supplies.

If you are taking medication, please ensure youbring an adequate supply and a letter fromyour doctor to avoid potential issues at bordercrossings.

Fitness & Suitability

This is a public transport-based tour so it isessential that you be able to carry your bagsover distances between bus and train stationsand hotels, generally for up to 20 minutes.Disruptions happen and while your tour leaderwill make every effort to ensure your trip runssmoothly, patience, a sense of humour andwillingness to get involved and help your tourleader are essential ingredients for a successfuland happy group.

If you have any pre-existing medical conditionsplease let us know at the time you book or asearly before departure as possible. Dependingon the severity of the condition, you may beasked to produce a medical certificate fromyour doctor approving your participation in thistour. While this would only happen in veryexceptional circumstances, if we consider youincapable completing this tour or you haveconcealed an existing medical condition whichis affecting your ability to participate in the tourof On The Go Tours reserve the right to turn youaway without reimbursement.

Safety & Security

Europe is generally very safe, even more so in agroup. Reasonable precaution is advised; do notbring valuable jewellery or watches (even fakescan catch the eye of a thief), do not bring yourcamera equipment in a flashy camera bag, beprudent and keep your valuables in a safe secureplace whenever possible, wear a money beltand distribute your valuables throughout yourluggage, heed your tour leader’s advice andalways keep an eye and a hand on your cameraand bags in public places. On The Go Tourscannot accept responsibility for any valuablesleft in safe deposits in hotels or on publictransport.

Age Restrictions

We have a minimum age on all our grouptours of 12 years old. Children aged between 12and 18 must each be accompanied by a legalguardian or parent and we recommend thatchildren have a companion of a similar age tothem so that they have company along the way.While we do not have an upper age limit, thenature of our group tours can be very fast pacedand travellers might be required to walk longdistances, often in the heat.

DocumentsPassport

Your passport should be valid for at least 6months after you have finished your tour withsufficient blank pages for visas and immigrationstamps. Photocopy your passport, leaving onecopy at home and taking one with you on tour.If you lose your passport while on tour, you willbe responsible for any expenses incurred suchas extra accommodation and transport whilereplacing your passport and will not be entitledto a refund of any unused portion of your tour.

Tour Documents

Before you depart you will be issued witha voucher for your tour any extra servicessuch as airport transfers and pre/post touraccommodation. Please print these out andbring them with you. These Trip Notes areupdated regularly, so we recommend checking

our website for the latest version just prior to thestart of your tour.

Final Balance

The balance for your tour is due no later than60 days prior to the start of your tour and notour vouchers will be issued until this is received.In addition please send the following details atleast 60 days before you depart:

• Passport number, date of issue, date of expiry,nationality and place of issue• Your full name and date of birth• Flight arrival details in your starting city• Special requirements, e.g. special dietaryrequirements or allergies

Please let us know if you are travelling withanother person on the tour but have madeseparate bookings and we will endeavour tomake suitable rooming arrangements.

Visas

All countries have visa requirements that aresubject to change at short notice. Please checkwith your local embassy or consulate for thevery latest visa requirement information basedon your nationality. It is your responsibility toensure that you have all necessary visas for yourtour. If you would like help applying for visas, wehave recommended visa agencies.

Important things to check when applying forvisas:

• Does the validity of the visa cover the durationof your time spent in the country?• Do you require a single or multiple entry visa(s)for your tour?• Are you required to show additionaldocumentation when you arrive in a country?(Examples include proof of onward travel andtravel itinerary)

Some visas are only valid for entry within threemonths of the date of issue which means onsome of our longer tours the visa would expirebefore you are scheduled to enter the country.In these cases you must obtain the relevant visaduring your tour. If it is necessary for you toobtain any visas en-route, please contact On The

TRIP NOTES

Estonia to Prague




- 7 -

Go Tours or your travel consultant and informyour tour leader at the start of the tour. If youdo not have the appropriate visas, On The GoTours will not reimburse any expenses incurredin acquiring visas or any unused portion of thetour.

It is best to apply for visas in your homecountry if possible. If applying for visas by post,please allow plenty of time before departureand send your application by registered mail.Postal applications tend to be given a lowerpriority than in person applications and can takelonger to process.

Special Note: If you have dual nationality it isadvised not to obtain different visas in differentpassports. Although this may sometimes becheaper, you may encounter problems at bordercrossings if your exit stamps from one countryare not the same as your visa for the next.

Travel Insurance Policy

Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours.You must be adequately insured for medical,hospital, baggage and personal expenses,any necessary extra travel (rejoining touror repatriation) as well as curtailment andcancellation.

We strongly recommend that all clients carrya copy of their full policy document withthem at all times, together with any certificateshowing the policy number and emergencycontact details. Your tour leader will also ask fora photocopy of your insurance document, soplease take this to the pre-departure meetingat the start of your tour. You will not be ableto commence your tour unless you can provideproof of insurance to your tour leader.

Document Checklist

• Passport (with photocopies of informationpages and visas)• Trip Notes• Cash & credit/debit cards (best to take amixture and more than one card in case onedoes not work)• Travel Insurance Certificate and photocopy fortour leader

• Travel consultant's phone number and emailaddress• Proof of onward travel, ie airline ticket

Optional ExcursionsOptional excursions are not operated by OnThe Go Tours and while every effort is madeprices may not be up-to-date and are intendedas a general guide to help you budget for yourtrip. Prices for vehicle-based excursions suchas game drives are approximate based on theoptimum number of participants and the actualprice may vary depending on group size.

Sufficient safety equipment such as helmetsand life jackets are sometimes not availableand On The Go Tours is unable to provide thisequipment. If you intend to participate in anoptional excursion you may like to considerbringing your own safety gear.

Excursions are run by a local operator or thirdparty with both On The Go Tours and the TourLeader acting as a booking agent only. Optionalactivities are not part of the tour and TucanTravel’s booking conditions do not apply tothem. It is your responsibility to ensure you havethe correct travel insurance for the excursionsyou intend to take part in and On The Go Toursis not liable for any injuries incurred.

ExtrasOn many of our Group Tours, we spend onenight in our arrival and departure cities. If youwant to explore these cities more we can bookpre and post tour accommodation and airporttransfers for you. Price information can be foundon the price page of each tour.

Illegal DrugsThe possession or use of illegal drugs will notbe tolerated on our tours. When overseas youare subject to local laws and the penalties forbreaking these laws can be harsh. In order tosafeguard the interests of the group as a whole,our tour leaders have been instructed to insistthat any person found with illegal drugs leavethe tour immediately – without refund. Thetour leader’s decision on this matter is final. Ifyou need to carry certain drugs with you forpurposes of medication, please inform your tour

leader and ensure that you carry a copy of yourprescription or letter from your doctor.

Czech Republic Country Guide

Czech Republic: Fact FileCapital: PraguePopulation: 10 millionTotal Area: 78,866 square kilometresOfficial Language: CzechReligions: Roman Catholics 40%, Protestant45%, Orthodox 3%, Other 13%, unaffiliated 40%.Voltage: 230 volts Sockets differ to the restof Europe - grounding is accomplished with around male pin permanently mounted in thesocket and therefore although the plugs aretwo pronged they must have the correspondingfemale contact to accept the grounding.Dialling Code: +420Time Difference: GMT/UTC + 1. For other timedifferences please visit www.timeanddate.com

Czech Republic: Brief historyFollowing the First World War, the closelyrelated Czechs and Slovaks of the formerAustro-Hungarian Empire merged to formCzechoslovakia. During the interwar years,the new country's leaders were frequentlypreoccupied with meeting the demands ofother ethnic minorities within the republic,most notably the Sudeten Germans and theRuthenians (Ukrainians). After World War II,a truncated Czechoslovakia fell within theSoviet sphere of influence. In 1968, an invasionby Warsaw Pact troops ended the efforts ofthe country's leaders to liberalize Communistparty rule and create "socialism with a humanface." Anti-Soviet demonstrations the followingyear ushered in a period of harsh repression.With the collapse of Soviet authority in 1989,Czechoslovakia regained its freedom through apeaceful "Velvet Revolution." On 1 January 1993,the country underwent a "velvet divorce" into itstwo national components, the Czech Republicand Slovakia.

Czech Republic: Geographyand weatherThe Czech Republic is situated approximatelyin the geographical centre of Europe. It is alandlocked country 326 km from the Baltic and322 km from the Adriatic. It shares borderswith Germany, Poland, Austria and Slovakia. The

TRIP NOTES

Estonia to Prague




- 8 -

highest point of elevation is the peak of Mt.Snezka (1,602 metres above sea level) and thelowest point of elevation is near Hrensko wherethe River Labe leaves Czech territory (117 metresabove sea level). The climate is temperate withcool sunny summers and cold, cloudy, humidwinters.

Visit www.worldclimate.com to get an idea ofwhat the weather will be like on your trip.

Czech Republic: VisasMost nationalities (including citizens of the EU,Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US) donot need a visa to enter the Czech Republic. Ifyour nationality is not listed please consult yournearest Czech embassy or consulate before youtravel

Czech Republic: MoneyALL prices stated are given as a guide only andare subject to change.

Prices quoted in this country dossier are in euro,unless otherwise specified.

Local currency

The monetary unit in the Czech Republic is theCzech crown or koruna (Kc). For up to dateexchange rates with your own currency visitwww.oanda.com or www.xe.com.

Changing money, credit cards & ATMs

The best place to change money in the CzechRepublic is at banks and they are normally openMonday – Friday 8am – 5pm. There are manyATM’s where you can obtain Czech crowns cashusing credit and debit cards.

Working out your budget

Our Europe pre departure information includesa general list of all the things you shouldtake into consideration when budgeting and anestimate of what you should allow per day forspending money. Below are some specific notesrelevant to our trips in Czech Republic.

Entrance fees

Generally speaking most entrance fees will becovered by the recommended spending money.There are, however, other sites and museumsthat are not part of the tour programme whichyou may wish to visit in your free time. If youhave an International Student Card you willoften be entitled to reduced entrance fees.

Tipping

A service charge is rarely added to restaurantbills. Give a tip for good service directly to thewaiter when you pay your bill. As a rule ofthumb, round up to the next multiple of 10Kc.

Czech Republic: OptionalexcursionsA full list of the main excursions availableon each tour can be found on daily itineraryon these trip notes. All prices given areapproximate and are subject to change due tolocal inflation or exchange rates.

Czech Republic: Local transportIn Prague many of the sights are within walkingdistance of each other and the best way to getto know the city is on foot. However, if you planto visit several different areas in one day theefficient and extensive Metro and bus system isinexpensive and easy to use.

Czech Republic: SecurityMost people find the Czech Republic veryfriendly and safe and feel quite comfortablewandering around alone during the day.However, as with any area you are not familiarwith it is recommended that you exercise morecaution at night especially if you are a lonefemale.

Czech Republic: Local food anddrinkMost meals are included when camping (pleasesee your tour dossier for a complete breakdownof meals included). Breakfasts can be basic so ifyou tend to get hungry it may be a good idea tobuy some fruit or snacks to eat during the day.All other meals, extra snacks and drinks on thetour are at your own expense.

Ask your tour leader if they can recommendany restaurants in the area to suit your taste orbudget or have fun exploring independently.

Food

Food in the Czech Republic tends torevolve around pork, gravy, dumplings andpickled cabbage. Popular street snacks includebramborak, a potato pancake with flecks ofbacon and smazeny syr – a slab of meltedcheese fried in breadcrumbs and served ina toll with tartar sauce. Most pubs serve amenu of basic hot dishes. Most lunch timemenus start with soup, one of the country’sculinary strong points. Main course are generallybased on pork (veprovy) or beef (hovezi), youcould also sample wild boar (kanci maso) orduck (kachna) which are usually delicious. Maincourse are served with different varieties ofdumpling (knedilky) or vegetables.

Drink

The Czech Republic tops the world in the beerconsumption league tables, and there are manydelicious brands to try at cheap prices.

Vegetarians

Vegetarians will find no shortage of fresh saladson offer.

Czech Republic: NationalholidaysJanuary 1st - New Year’s DayVariable - Easter MondayMay 1st - Labour DayMay 8th - Victory Day 1945Jul 5th - Day of the Apostles St Cyril and StMethodius.July 6th - Jan Hus DaySeptember 28th - Czech Statehood DayOctober 28th - National DayNovember 17th - Struggle for Liberty andDemocracy DayDecember 24th - Christmas EveDecember 25th - Christmas DayDecember 26th - St Stephens Day

Estonia Country Guide

Estonia: Fact FileOfficial Name: Republic of EstoniaCapital: TallinnPopulation: 1.4 million

TRIP NOTES

Estonia to Prague




- 9 -

Total Area: 45,748 square kilometresOfficial Language: Estonian, RussianReligions: Evangelical Lutheran 13.6%,Orthodox 12.8%, other Christian (includingMethodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, RomanCatholic, Pentecostal) 1.4%, unaffiliated 34.1%,other and unspecified 32%, none 6.1%Voltage: 220 volts / 50 HzDialling Code: +372Time Difference: GMT/UTC + 2. For other timedifferences please visit www.timeanddate.com

Estonia: Brief historyOriginally a pagan territory followed by a spellunder servitude to German nobility. Estonia’shistory along with the other Baltic Stateshas been a continuous struggle to maintainindependence and national integrity againstits larger neighbours. Russia in particular sawthe benefits of acquiring Estonia’s territory forboth economic and strategic reasons and tookEstonia from Sweden, at the Treaty of Nystadt,in 1721. Proceeding the German invasion of theSoviet Union during WWII, Estonia became oneof the 15 Soviet Socialist Republics until MikhailGorbachev then Communist Party GeneralSecretary, offered the prospect of change for theBaltic States. In 1990, the Estonian CommunistParty voted in favour of full independence fromthe Soviet Union but allowed for a six-monthtransitional period before making the decisionfinal. Rapid international recognition of Estoniaas a sovereign state, followed by admission tothe United Nations, completed the transitionto full nationhood. Estonia joined the EuropeanUnion in 2004.

Estonia: Geography andweatherEstonia is a low lying country with almost half ofits land mass forested and over 1,400 lakes

Our tours only operate from late spring (April/May) to early Autumn (in Eastern Europe)when the weather is generally at its best.Temperatures will vary but will still be coolin April/May and again in October. Thewarmest months tend to be July/August. Thefurther south you are the higher the averagetemperatures. You can expect snow fromDecember to late March.

Visit www.worldclimate.com to get an idea ofwhat the weather will be like on your trip.

Estonia: VisasMake sure your passport is valid for at least twomonths after your trip.Visa regulations changefrequently so it is important you consult withthe embassy prior to travelling to ensure youhave the correct visas. In some cases you willbe crossing the borders on overnight trains andwithout the correct visa for your nationality youwill not be allowed to enter the country and willbe asked to leave the train. It is the responsibilityof the traveller to obtain all correct visas neededprior to departure.

Nationals of EU and EEA member states are freeto enter Estonia. The required travel documentfor entry is a national ID card or passport.

Estonia: MoneyALL prices stated in this dossier are given as aguide only and are subject to change.

Local currency

The monetary unit in Estonia is the euro. For upto date exchange rates with your own currencyvisit www.oanda.com or www.xe.com.


All major currencies can be exchanged at banksand bureaux de change. Credit cards are widelyaccepted. Most banks will give cash advances oncredit cards with a passport. There are ATMs inmost towns. Traveller's cheques can be changedin banks in most larger towns. The main banksin Estonia who serve tourists are Hansapank,Sampo Pank and Ühispank.


Our Europe pre departure information includesa general list of all the things you shouldtake into consideration when budgeting and anestimate of what you should allow per day forspending money. Below are some specific notesrelevant to our trips in Estonia.

Entrance fees


Tipping

In restaurants 15% is usually added to restaurantbills and you are obliged to pay this. It is alsocustomary to give the waiter 5%-10% on top ofthis if you are happy with the service.

You do not need to tip taxi drivers, etc butyou should tip people who assist you withyour luggage at hotels (don’t over-tip; your tourleader will advise a suitable amount). Tippingguides at the end of excursions and treks etcis always appreciated and your tour leader willadvise you on the amount for this.

Estonia: Optional excursionsA full list of the main excursions availableon each tour can be found on daily itineraryon these trip notes. All prices given areapproximate and are subject to change due tolocal inflation or exchange rates.

Estonia: Local transportEstonia’s cities have good bus and tramnetworks running from approximately 6am toMidnight. Tickets are sold from Kiosks in thestreet or from the driver they must be validatedonce on board the vehicle on the spot fines canbe issued if not. One of the most popular andreliable ways of getting around on your own inlarge cities in is by taxi. Try to find out what thegoing rate for journeys is before you hop intoa taxi to ensure you are not being overcharged.Your tour leader will be able to provide adviceon this when you stop in major cities.

Estonia: SecurityGenerally people find Eastern Europe to besafe and feel confident wandering alone duringthe day. However if you are unfamiliar with anarea it is recommended that you exercise morecaution at night and taxi taxis rather than walk,especially if you are a lone female traveller. Insome cities bag snatching can occur so alwayskeep a firm hand/eye on your personal items.

TRIP NOTES

Estonia to Prague




- 10 -

Petty theft, especially in Tallinn Old Town, isbecoming increasingly common. If there is a safeavailable in your hotel it is recommended youuse it.

Estonia: Local food and drinkSome breakfasts are included in your tour.Breakfasts can be basic so if you tend to gethungry it may be a good idea to buy some fruitor snacks to eat during the day. All other meals,extra snacks and drinks on the tour are at yourown expense.

Ask your tour leader if they can recommendany restaurants in the area to suit your tasteor budget or have fun exploring independently.Hors d'oeuvres are very good in Estonia andoften considered the best part of the meal.

Food

You may want to try national specialities suchas: Sült (jellied veal), Täidetud vasikarind (roaststuffed shoulder of veal), Rosolje (vinaigrettewith herring and beets), Braised goose stuffedwith apples and plums and Estonian wildmushroom soup.

Drink

National drinks include: Saare beer (dark andheavy yet tasty), Mulled wine and Vana Tallinn(a local liqueur that's probably best left to thelocals to sip!

All drinks such as bottled water or soft drinks areat your own expense at all times and are fairlyinexpensive. Alcoholic drinks vary in price, withwine and beer generally being the cheapestoptions.

Vegetarians

Vegetarians will find no shortage of fresh saladson offer.

Estonia: National holidays1 January - New Year's Day.24 February - Independence Day.10 April - Good Friday.1 May - May Day.31 May - Whit Sunday (Pentecost).

23 June - Võidupüha (Victory Day - anniversaryof the Battle of Võnnu).24 June - Midsummer's Day/Jaanipäev (StJohn's Day).20 August - Restoration of Independence Day.25-26 December- Jõulud (Christmas) andBoxing Day.

Lithuania Country Guide

Lithuania: Fact FileOfficial Name: Republic of LithuaniaCapital: VilniusPopulation: 3.7 millionTotal Area: 65,300 square kilometresOfficial Language: Lithuanian, Lithuania hasa large number of dialects for such a smallterritory, including High Lithuanian (Aukstaiciai)and Low Lithuanian (Zemaiciai).Religions: Roman Catholic (79%) with RussianOrthodox and Protestant, including EvangelicalLutheran and Evangelical Reformist.Voltage: 220 volts / 50 Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are in use.Dialling Code: +370Time Difference: GMT/UTC + 2. For other timedifferences please visit www.timeanddate.com

Lithuania: Brief historyLithuanians, along with Latvians and ancientPrussians, are descendants of the Balts, an Indo-European ethnic group that settled on the Balticcoast 4,000 years ago.

The name Lithuania dates back to 1009 AD.Grand Duke Mindaugas is recognised as thefounder of Lithuania, a territory which includedMinsk and later stretched as far as the Black Sea.

Lithuania was able to withstand the advance ofthe Teutonic Knights, merging with Poland in1569 to create the Joint Republic of the PolishKingdom and Lithuanian Grand Duchy. Russiathen took possession of part of Lithuania in 1795(the western region was claimed by Prussia).The Russians were driven out by the Germanarmy during World War I. The Lithuanian Councilthen declared independence in February 1918.In 1921, Lithuania joined the League ofNations. Poland continued to occupy Vilnius,the Lithuanian capital. Lithuania was occupiedby the German Army in 1941 until its re-annexation by the Soviets three years later.

Despite occupying radio, TV and other keyinstallations, the Soviet forces were forcedto back down. This period in Lithuanianhistory concluded with the effective end toSoviet Government followed immediately byLithuanian independence. The country wasrecognised and rapidly gained admission to theUnited Nations, the Conference on Security andCo-operation in Europe, the Council of Europeand the European Bank for Reconstruction andDevelopment.

Present-day Lithuania joined the EuropeanUnion on 1 May, 2004 and today has one of thefastest growing economies in the bloc.

Lithuania: Geography andweatherLithuania is the largest of the Baltics and mainlyflat with forest covering around a third of itsmass.

Our tours mostly operate from late spring(April/May) to early autumn (in Eastern Europe)when the weather is generally at its best.Temperatures will vary but will still be coolin April/May and again in October. Thewarmest months tend to be July/August. Thefurther south you are the higher the averagetemperatures. You can expect snow fromDecember to late March.

Visit www.worldclimate.com to get an idea ofwhat the weather will be like on your tour.

Lithuania: VisasMake sure your passport is valid for at least threemonths after your tour.

Visas are not required by British, Canadian,Australian, New Zealand and US citizens for astay of up to 90 days.

Lithuania joined the Schengen Agreement on21 December 2007 for overland entry points andseaports, and on 29 March 2008 for airports.

Lithuania: MoneyALL prices stated in this dossier are given as aguide only and are subject to change.

Local currency

TRIP NOTES

Estonia to Prague




- 11 -

As of 1st Jan 2015, Lithuania is in the euro zone.For up to date exchange rates with your owncurrency visit www.oanda.com or www.xe.com.

Prices quoted in this country dossier are in eurosor litas.


Major credit cards are accepted in the mainhotels, restaurants, shops and in some petrolstations. ATMs are available in most cities.

Traveller's cheques are not accepted by retailersand can only be exchanged at a few outlets.To avoid additional exchange rate charges,travellers are advised to take traveller's chequesin US dollars.


Our Europe pre departure information includesa general list of all the things you shouldtake into consideration when budgeting and anestimate of what you should allow per day forspending money. Below are some specific notesrelevant to our tours in Lithuania.Entrance fees

Generally speaking most entrance fees will becovered by the recommended spending money.There are, however, other sites and museumsthat are not part of the tour programme whichyou may wish to visit in your free time. If youhave an International Student Card you willoften be entitled to reduced entrance fees.Tipping

Restaurant bills usually include a tip. It iscustomary to give a little extra for good service.

You do not need to tip taxi drivers, etc butyou should tip people who assist you withyour luggage at hotels (don’t over-tip, your tourleader will advise a suitable amount). Tippingguides at the end of excursions and treks etcis always appreciated and your tour leader willadvise you on the amount for this.

Lithuania: Optional excursionsA full list of the main excursions availableon each tour can be found on daily itineraryon these trip notes. All prices given are

approximate and are subject to change due tolocal inflation or exchange rates.

Lithuania: Local transportPublic transport includes buses and trolleybuses, which usually run from 5am-11pm,tickets can be bought either at news kiosksbefore boarding or from the driver.

One of the most popular and reliable ways ofgetting around on your own in large cities in isby taxi. Try to find out what the going rate forjourneys is before you hop into a taxi to ensureyou are not being overcharged. Your tour leaderwill be able to provide advice on this when youstop in major cities.

Lithuania: SecurityGenerally people find Eastern Europe to besafe and feel confident wandering alone duringthe day. However if you are unfamiliar with anarea it is recommended that you exercise morecaution at night and taxi taxis rather than walk,especially if you are a lone female traveller. Insome cities bag snatching can occur so alwayskeep a firm hand/eye on your personal items.

Lithuania: Local food and drinkSome breakfasts are included in your tour.Breakfasts can be basic so if you tend to gethungry it may be a good idea to buy some fruitor snacks to eat during the day. All other meals,extra snacks and drinks on the tour are at yourown expense.


Food

National specialities to keep a look out forare skilandis (smoked meat), salti barsciai (coldsoup), vedarai (potato sausage) and bulviniaiblynai (potato pancakes), smoked eel is afamous Baltic delicacy, and you may enjoy tryingmild white curd cheese, best served with honey.

Drink

National drinks include local brands of beerand imported drinks are popular. A famous

Lithuanian spirit is midus, a mild alcoholicbeverage made from honey.

Lithuania: National holidays1 January - New Year's Day16 February - Restoration of the State Day(1918)11 March - Restoration of Independence Day(1990)10-13 April - Easter1 May - International Labour Day3 May - Mothers' Day24 June - Jonines (St John's Day/Midsummer'sDay)6 July - Anniversary of the Coronation of KingMindaugas15 August - Assumption Day1 November - All Saints' Day25 December - Christmas Day26 December - Boxing Day

Latvia Country Guide

Latvia: Fact FileOfficial Name: Republic of LatviaCapital: RigaPopulation: 2.4 millionTotal Area: 64,589 square kilometresOfficial Language: Latvian is the officiallanguage. Russian, English and German arewidely spoken.Religions: Non-religious 35%, Lutheran 24%,Catholic 18%, Orthodox 15%, others 8%.Voltage:</b> 220 volts / 50 Hz. European-styletwo-pin plugs are in use.Dialling Code: +371Time Difference: GMT/UTC + 2. For other timedifferences please visit www.timeanddate.com

Latvia: Brief historyLatvia has long been an important tradingcentre and strategic territory in the Baltic region.The various Latvian tribes were self-governing,hailing back to around 2000 BC. By the endof the 13th century the territory was theconquered by the German Teutonic Knights,who founded Riga in 1202 AD and went on tocontrol the seaboard from Poland to Estoniaand inland into Latvia. The territory was thencontrolled by Poland from 1561 (during thereign of Ivan the Terrible) followed by Sweden.

TRIP NOTES

Estonia to Prague




- 12 -

By 1795, the entire Latvian territory was underRussian control, ruled by Peter the Great. Thiscontinued until the Bolshevik revolution of 1917which resulted in the 1918 Treaty of Brest-Litovsk under which Russia was obliged to giveup its Baltic territories.

The Treaty of Versailles then enabled theLatvians to assert their independence brieflyfor the first time in more than 600 years.Russian forces took over power once more justbefore World War II but were driven out bythe Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941.Troops returned to Latvia three years later, toincorporate the country into the Soviet Unionalong with Estonia and Lithuania as one of the15 Soviet republics.

Latvia's present independence began with theaccession of Mikhail Gorbachev as Soviet leaderin 1985. The country gained full independencefrom the Soviet Union in 1991. The new statewas quickly recognised internationally and re-admitted to the UN. A new currency, the Lat, wasintroduced in 1993 followed by the first post-independence elections

Latvia joined the EU in May 2004, along with itsBaltic neighbours.

Latvia: Geography and weatherLatvia is situated on the Baltic coast and bordersEstonia to the north, Lithuania to the south, theRussian Federation to the east and Belarus to thesoutheast. The coastal plain is mostly flat but,towards the east, the land is hilly with forestsand lakes. There are about 12,000 rivers in Latvia,the biggest being the River Daugava. The portsof Riga and Ventspils often freeze over duringthe winter.

Our tours mostly operate from late spring(April/May) to early Autumn (in Eastern Europe)when the weather is generally at its best.Temperatures will vary but will still be coolin April/May and again in October. Thewarmest months tend to be July/August. Thefurther south you are the higher the averagetemperatures. You can expect snow fromDecember to late March.


Latvia: VisasMake sure your passport is valid for at least threemonths after your tour begins.

Visa regulations change frequently so it isimportant you consult with the embassy prior totravelling to ensure you have the correct visas.In some cases you will be crossing the borderson overnight trains. Visas are not required byBritish, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand andUS citizens for a stay of up to 90 days withinany six-month period. For stays over 90 daysthese nationals should apply for a residencepermit from the Latvian offices of citizenshipand migration affairs.

Latvia: MoneyALL prices stated in this dossier are given as aguide only and are subject to change.

Local currency

Latvia is in the euro zone. For up to dateexchange rates with your own currency visitwww.oanda.com or www.xe.com.


Bureaux de Change are found all over maintowns, including inside shops, hotels, postoffices and train stations. These tend to closeat 7pm. The most convenient currencies toexchange are the euro and the US dollar.

American Express, Diners Club, JCB, MasterCardand Visa are accepted by most hotels,restaurants and shops. ATMs are available intowns and cities.

To avoid additional exchange rate charges,travellers are advised to take traveller's chequesin US dollars or pounds sterling.


Our Europe pre departure information includesa general list of all the things you shouldtake into consideration when budgeting and anestimate of what you should allow per day for

spending money. Below are some specific notesrelevant to our tours in Latvia.Entrance fees


Tipping

In restaurants 15% is usually added to restaurantbills and you are obliged to pay this. It is alsocustomary to give the waiter 5%-10% on top ofthis if you are happy with the service.

You do not need to tip taxi drivers, etc butyou should tip people who assist you withyour luggage at hotels (don’t over-tip; your tourleader will advise a suitable amount). Tippingguides at the end of excursions and treks etcis always appreciated and your tour leader willadvise you on the amount for this.

Latvia: Optional excursionsA full list of the main excursions availableon each tour can be found on daily itineraryon these trip notes. All prices given areapproximate and are subject to change due tolocal inflation or exchange rates.

Latvia: Local transportLatvia’s cities have good bus and tram networksrunning from approximately 5am to midnight.Tickets are sold from kiosks in the street or fromthe driver they must be validated once on boardthe vehicle on the spot fines can be issued if not.

Latvia: SecurityGenerally people find Eastern Europe to besafe and feel confident wandering alone duringthe day. However if you are unfamiliar with anarea it is recommended that you exercise morecaution at night and taxi taxis rather than walk,especially if you are a lone female traveller. Insome cities bag snatching can occur so alwayskeep a firm hand/eye on your personal items.

TRIP NOTES

Estonia to Prague




- 13 -

Petty theft, especially in Riga, is becomingincreasingly common. If there is a safe availablein your hotel it is recommended you use it.

Latvia: Local food and drinkSome breakfasts are included in your tour.Breakfasts can be basic so if you tend to gethungry it may be a good idea to buy some fruitor snacks to eat during the day. All other meals,extra snacks and drinks on the tour are at yourown expense.


Food

Hors d’oeuvres are considered very good andoften the best part of the meal. Overall, cuisinecan be heavy but almost always tasty andnourishing. Look out for the astounding varietyof cakes, breads and pastries.

You may want to try national specialities suchas, kotletes (meat patties), skabu kapostu zupa(cabbage soup), Alexander torte (raspberry- orcranberry-filled pastry stours), sweetbread soupwith dried fruit, piragi (pastry filled with baconand onions).

Drink

National drinks include, Riga’s Black Balsam, athick, black alcoholic liquid which has beenproduced since 1700. The exact recipe isa closely guarded secret, but some of theingredients include ginger, oak bark, bitterorange peel and cognac. It is drunk eitherwith coffee or mixed with vodka. There areseveral good local beers, including the dark beerBauskas Tumsais and the pale Gaisais. Kvass is arefreshing summer drink.

All drinks such as bottled water or soft drinks areat your own expense at all times and are fairlyinexpensive. Alcoholic drinks vary in price, withwine and beer generally being the cheapestoptions. The legal drinking age is 18.

Latvia: National holidays1 January - New Year's Day.10 April - Good Friday.

13 April - Easter Monday.1 May - Labour Day.4 May - Declaration of Independence Day.23 June- Ligo (Midsummer's Eve).24 June - Jani (Midsummer's Day/St John's Day).18 November - Latvian National Day.25 December - Christmas Day.26 December - Boxing Day.31 December - New Year's Eve.

Poland Country Guide

Poland: Fact FileOfficial Name: Republic of PolandCapital: WarsawPopulation: 39 millionTotal Area: 312,677 square kilometresOfficial Language: Polish. German and Englishare spoken in some places.Religions: 95% Roman Catholic; other religionsinclude Polish Autocephalous Orthodox,Russian and Greek Orthodox, Protestant, Jewishand Muslim.Voltage: 220 volts / 50 Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are in use.Dialling Code: +48Time Difference: GMT/UTC +2. For other timedifferences please visit www.timeanddate.com

Poland: Brief historyPoland was one of the largest states in Europethroughout much of its history.

By the 18th century, Poland was reduced toa territory which was argued over by Austria,Prussia and Russia. The country was eventuallydivided between the three leaving a small areaaround Warsaw to remain independent. Polanddid not regain its independence until 1918 butby 1926 it was again divided by its powerfulneighbours, Germany and the Soviet Union,followed by occupation during both world wars.

In 1948, the Polish Workers' Party mergedwith the Polish Socialist Party to form PolskaZjednoczona Partia Robotnicza (Polish UnitedWorkers' Party, PZPR). Opposition to the regimewas led by elements of the industrial work force,Solidarnosc. During this period there were alsomovements elsewhere in Eastern Europe whichwere led by intellectuals, such as Charter 77 –and supported by the Catholic Church, a majorpolitical force in Poland that the communists

had never been able to fully suppress. In1981 Solidarnosc was banned and its seniorfigures detained, including its leader, shipyardelectrician Lech Walesa.

In 1988, following collapse of the economy,the PZPR government resigned and openednegotiations with Solidarnosc. Elections wereheld in favour of Solidarnosc. TadeuszMazowiecki became the first non-communistprime minister. This signified a change inthe tide and over the following years thewhole of Eastern Europe shed its communistgovernments, directly resulting in the collapseof the Soviet Union.

Throughout the 1990s Poland was politicallystable, securing entry into both NATO and theEuropean Union. As the largest of the formerEastern European states, Poland's position iscrucial. Poland joined NATO in July 1997 and theEuropean Union in May 2004.

Poland: Geography andweatherOur tours mostly operate from late spring(April/May) to early Autumn (in Eastern Europe)when the weather is generally at its best.Temperatures will vary but will still be coolin April/May and again in October. Thewarmest months tend to be July/August. Thefurther south you are the higher the averagetemperatures. You can expect snow fromDecember to late March.

Poland: VisasMake sure your passport is valid for at least threemonths after your tour begins.

Visa regulations change frequently so it isimportant you consult with the embassy prior totravelling to ensure you have the correct visas.In some cases you will be crossing the borderson overnight trains. Visas are not required byBritish, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand andUS citizens for a stay of up to 90 days.

IMPORTANT: All visitors entering Poland mustpossess travel or medical insurance to coverpossible medical expenses for at least €30,000and Zl100 per day for accommodation andsustenance.

TRIP NOTES

Estonia to Prague




- 14 -

Poland: MoneyALL prices stated in this dossier are given as aguide only and are subject to change.

Local currency

The monetary unit in Poland is the zloty, zł.Notes are in denominations of zł 200, 100, 50, 20and 10. The new coins are in denominations ofzł 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 groszyis.For up to date exchange rates with your owncurrency visit www.oanda.com or www.xe.com.


ATMs are widely available. American Express,Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are acceptedin larger establishments. Cash can be obtainedfrom Visa credit cards at banks. Travellerscheques can be readily exchanged. To avoidadditional exchange rate charges, travellers areadvised to take traveller's cheques in poundssterling.


Our Europe pre-departure information includesa general list of all the things you shouldtake into consideration when budgeting and anestimate of what you should allow per day forspending money. Below are some specific notesrelevant to our tours in Poland.

Entrance fees


Tipping

Restaurant bills usually include a tip. It iscustomary to give a little extra for good service.

You do not need to tip taxi drivers, etc butyou should tip people who assist you withyour luggage at hotels (don’t over-tip, your tourleader will advise a suitable amount). Tipping

guides at the end of excursions and treks etcis always appreciated and your tour leader willadvise you on the amount for this.

Poland: Optional excursionsA full list of the main excursions availableon each tour can be found on daily itineraryon these trip notes. All prices given areapproximate and are subject to change due tolocal inflation or exchange rates.

Poland: Local transportIn Warsaw, the Municipal Transport Board (ZTM)is responsible for the bus, metro and tramservices. ZTM tickets are valid for all services andcan be purchased as a single ride or as a daypass. Some buses allow the purchase of ticketson board, but it is best to buy them before youuse any transport.

In Kracow: The MPK is the transport boardresponsible for public buses and trams howeverthere is no metro system. Public transporttickets are available in all towns at green Ruchkiosks, hotels and post offices.

Most public transport operates from 5.30am to11pm; night buses, in the major cities, run from11pm to 5am.

One of the most popular and reliable ways ofgetting around on your own in large cities in isby taxi. Try to find out what the going rate forjourneys is before you hop into a taxi to ensureyou are not being overcharged. Your tour leaderwill be able to provide advice on this when youstop in major cities.

Poland: SecurityGenerally people find Eastern Europe to besafe and feel confident wandering alone duringthe day. However if you are unfamiliar with anarea it is recommended that you exercise morecaution at night and taxi taxis rather than walk,especially if you are a lone female traveller. Insome cities bag snatching can occur so alwayskeep a firm hand/eye on your personal items.

If there is a safe available in your hotel it isrecommended you use it.

Poland: Local food and drinkSome breakfasts are included in your tour.Breakfasts can be basic so if you tend to gethungry it may be a good idea to buy some fruitor snacks to eat during the day. All other meals,extra snacks and drinks on the tour are at yourown expense.


Food

Poland has a distinctive cuisine, with typicalingredients being dill, marjoram, caraway seeds,wild mushrooms and sour cream, which isfrequently added to soups, sauces and braisedmeats. Soups play an important part atmealtimes and are usually rich and very thick.Barszcz (beetroot soup), however, runs thin andclear and is often served in cups with smallhot pasties stuffed with meat or cabbage. Thereare several salt- and fresh-water fish dishesusing trout, carp and herring. Pastries, such asszarlotka (apple cake), packi (jelly doughnuts)and makowiec (poppy seed cake) can be boughtat a cukiernia. Note that big cities offer aselection of other world cuisines.

Keep a look out for national specialities suchas salted and rolled herring fillets with picklesand onions, Kabanos (long, thick sausages),Kasza (buckwheat). Bigos – sauerkraut with avariety of meats, Pierogi – dumplings stuffedwith cottage cheese, minced meat, cabbage orwild mushrooms.

You can also expect dumpling and potatoes,potato pancakes are in abundance.

Drink

Of course being Poland’s national drink you canexpect to find vodka in a multitude of varietiesand strengths. Beer is also popular and widelyserved.

All drinks such as bottled water or soft drinks areat your own expense at all times and are fairlyinexpensive. Alcoholic drinks vary in price, with

TRIP NOTES

Estonia to Prague




- 15 -

wine and beer generally being the cheapestoptions. The legal drinking age is 18.

Poland: National holidays1 January - New Year's Day.13 April - Easter Monday.30 April - Queen's Day.1 May - Labour Day.5 May - Liberation Day.21 May - Ascension.11 June - Corpus Christi.15 August - Assumption.1 November - All Saints' Day.11 November - Independence Day.25-26 December - Christmas Day.

Slovenia Country Guide

Slovenia: Fact FileOfficial Name: Republic of SloveniaCapital: LjubljanaPopulation: 2 millionTotal Area: 20,273 square kilometresOfficial Language: Slovenian (others Serbo-Croatian). English is widely spoken in the maincities, If you tour also spends time in smallertowns and villages you may wish to bring alonga phrasebook to help you pick up a few words ofthe local language.Religions: Roman Catholic 88%, Orthodox 4.4%,Muslim 1.3% / Roman Catholic 71%, Lutheran1%, Muslim 1%Voltage: 220-240 volts. European-style two-pinplugs are in use.Dialling Code: +386Time Difference:GMT/UTC +1. For other timedifferences please visit www.timeanddate.com

Slovenia: Brief historySlovenia was part of the Holy Roman Empire andthen the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1918,when the Slovenes joined the Serbs and Croatsin forming a new multinational state, renamedYugoslavia. After World War II, Sloveniabecame a republic of the renewed Yugoslavia,and although Communist, distanced itselffrom Moscow's rule. The Slovenes succeededin establishing their independence fromYugoslavia in 1991 after a short 10-day war.Historical ties to Western Europe, a strongeconomy, and a stable democracy have assistedin Slovenia's transformation to a modern state.

Slovenia acceded to both NATO and the EU inthe spring of 2004.

Slovenia: Geography andweatherSlovenia is wedged between Austria andCroatia. Often refered to as a microcosim ofEuropean geography as a whole, the geographyvaries from a short coastal strip on the Adriatic,an alpine mountain region adjacent to Italyand Austria and mixed mountains and valleyswith numerous rivers to the east. Sloveniaexperiences a Mediterranean climate on thecoast and a continental climate with mild to hotsummers and cold winters in the plateaus andvalleys to the east.

Our tours mostly operate from late spring(April/May) to early Autumn (in Eastern Europe)when the weather is generally at its best.Temperatures will vary but will still be coolin April/May and again in October. Thewarmest months tend to be July/August. Thefurther south you are the higher the averagetemperatures. You can expect snow fromDecember to late March.


Slovenia: VisasMany nationalities (including citizens of theUK, Australia, Canada, the US and most ofcontinental Europe) do not need a visa toenter Slovenia. However, visitors must hold anonward ticket, all documents required for theirnext destination and sufficient funds. If yournationality is not listed please consult yournearest Slovenian embassy or consulate beforeyou travel.

Slovenia: MoneyALL prices stated in this dossier are given as aguide only and are subject to change.

Local currency

Slovenia is in the euro zone. For up to dateexchange rates with your own currency visitwww.oanda.com or www.xe.com.


The easiest way to obtain money in Slovenia isto draw it out of an ATM (cash machine) on acredit or debit card (e.g. visa or cirrus). ATMs arewidely available throughout Eastern Europe andcredit cards are accepted in many restaurantsand shops. Another option is to bring cash ineuros but we advise against bringing all yourmoney in this form, in case of theft.


Our Europe pre departure information includesa general list of all the things you shouldtake into consideration when budgeting and anestimate of what you should allow per day forspending money. Below are some specific notesrelevant to our tours in Slovenia.

Entrance fees


Tipping

In a restaurant, round up the bill unless aservice charge has already been added or theservice was not up to standard. You should alsoround up bar bills and taxi fares. In Sloveniatipping is not compulsory, but a 10% gratuity inrestaurants will always be appreciated.

Slovenia: Optional excursionsA full list of the main excursions availableon each tour can be found on daily itineraryon these trip notes. All prices given areapproximate and are subject to change due tolocal inflation or exchange rates.

Slovenia: SecurityGenerally people find Eastern Europe to besafe and feel confident wandering alone duringthe day. However if you are unfamiliar with anarea it is recommended that you exercise morecaution at night and taxi taxis rather than walk,especially if you are a lone female traveller. In

TRIP NOTES

Estonia to Prague




- 16 -

some cities bag snatching can occur so alwayskeep a firm hand/eye on your personal items.

Slovenia: Local food and drinkMost meals are included when camping (pleasesee your trip notes for a complete breakdownof meals included). Breakfasts can be basic so ifyou tend to get hungry it may be a good idea tobuy some fruit or snacks to eat during the day.All other meals, extra snacks and drinks on thetour are at your own expense.


Food

In Slovenia food is heavily based on fish,venison and the dumpling although populareveryday dishes also include cabbage, beansand potatoes. Every Slovenian region has itsown various types of bread. Traditional dishesare best tried at an inn (gostilna).

Drink

Slovenia has been making wine since the timeof the Romans, and it now produces many highquality varieties.

All drinks such as bottled water or soft drinks areat your own expense at all times and are fairlyinexpensive. Alcoholic drinks vary in price, withwine and beer generally being the cheapestoptions. The legal drinking age is 18.

Slovenia: National holidays1-2 January - New Year8 February - Preseren Day (Slovenian CulturalHoliday)28 March - Easter Monday27 April - Resistance Day1-2 May - Labour Day Holiday15 May - Pentecost25 June - National Day15 August - Assumption31 October - Reformation Day1 November - All Saints’ Day25 December - Christmas Day26 December - Independence Day