Passport

Per the entry requirements of the local government, you will need to travel with a passport that has at least one blank page and it must be valid for at least six months past the date that you will arrive back in the U.S.

Visit the State Department for details about the passport application and renewal process and processing times. It may take several weeks for renewals to be processed, so plan accordingly.

Visa

U.S. citizens are not required to have a visa to travel to France for stays of up to 90 days.

Citizens of other countries should check with the nearest consulates for specific visa entry requirements for their entire itinerary.

If you are traveling independently of the group or to any other countries prior to or after the group program, check the visa requirements with the local consulates of each country you plan to visit.

General Recommendations

Consult your doctor for medical advice on this program and use your best judgment when evaluating your health, physical ability and the appropriateness of this program for you. This program is a group experience and your level of ability and preparedness will have an impact on the other participants.

Medical care and facilities are readily available in France, but accessibility and standards of medical services may vary.

You are responsible for bringing an adequate supply of your personal medications as well as medicines for common ailments. Some medicines that are over-the-counter or prescription in the U.S. may be prohibited in some countries. Check with the foreign embassies and consulates in the U.S. for the country or countries where you will be traveling to find out what medications are prohibited, and speak with your doctor regarding alternate medications to bring, if necessary.

We recommend you carry the telephone number and email address of your personal physician, along with an up-to-date record of known allergies and chronic medical problems.

Covid-19 Information and Vaccinations

Updated January 2022: All travelers who are eligible for vaccination will be required to upload documentation showing full vaccination (including booster, if eligible) for Covid-19. Please contact our office if you received a vaccine other than Pfizer, Moderna, or J&J.

Covid-19 travel protocols for this trip are in development. To read more about Travel/Study’s approach to ensuring traveler health and safety, visit the Covid-19 information page on our website. With destination conditions and travel requirements changing frequently, travel protocols for this particular program will be shared with confirmed travelers closer to departure.

Other Vaccinations

At the present time, no vaccinations are required by the destinations we visit on this program. (Travel/Study requires all travelers be vaccinated for Covid-19; please see the “Covid-19 Information and Vaccinations” section above for more information.)

You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine and your yearly flu shot.

Ask your doctor what vaccines and medicines you need based on your personal medical history, where you are going, how long you are staying, what you will be doing, and if you are traveling from a country other than the U.S. You can also check the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website for the most up-to-date recommendations.

See your doctor before your trip to allow time for vaccines to take effect, ideally at least four to six weeks before departure.

Sun Protection

To avoid overexposure to the sun during the program, bring a sun hat with a wide brim, a scarf to protect your neck and sunglasses that block 100% of UVB rays. A quality waterproof, long-lasting, ultraviolet A- and B-blocking sunscreen (at least SPF 30) is strongly recommended.

Digestive Health

Traveler’s diarrhea is the most common health-related travel concern. It is not unusual for travelers to experience one or two days of mild intestinal discomfort at some point during the tour. Speak with your doctor regarding preventive measures and suggested treatment for traveler’s diarrhea.

Historically temperatures have ranged from the mid 50s in the early mornings and evenings to the high 60s and low 70s (°F) during the day during this time of year.

Since weather patterns are increasingly unpredictable, we recommend checking temperatures online at The Weather Channel or Weather Underground a few days before the trip departs. This will be your best source for up-to-date weather information.

This program includes accommodations, transportation, group meals as noted on our website (including soft drinks and local beer or wine at group lunches and dinners), entrance fees, and gratuities for all group activities to guides, waiters, porters. You should need money only for personal expenses, meals on your own, beverages not provided at group meals and for individual purchases.

A few things to note about money while on this trip:

• You will need to pay for everything in local currency using cash or credit cards.

• ATMs are readily available in Paris. You may have to split off from the group on excursions in order to seek out an ATM.

• Major credit cards (VISA, MasterCard and American Express) are accepted in virtually all hotels, most restaurants and large shops.

The currency in France is the euro. You can find up-to-date information and current exchange rates online, for example at Oanda.

Gratuity Guidelines

Guidelines for gratuities that are NOT included in the program cost:

• Hotels: Because of the difficulty of ensuring that gratuities get to the right person, tips for housekeeping staff at our hotel is not included. If you would like to leave a tip for your housekeeper, $1 per person per day is typically what is recommended. You should tip in local currency.

• Taxis: drivers appreciate a small tip rounding up the fare or giving an additional Euro as you wish.

• Restaurant meals that are not part of our program: It is customary to tip wait staff in France, by leaving 10% gratuity or rounding up the bill. This will be appreciated for outstanding service and quality.

Luggage

We recommend that you limit your luggage to one suitcase and one carry-on piece (in addition to a personal item such as a purse or handbag).

Participants are responsible for their own overweight luggage charges, so please be aware of your luggage limits during the program as well as the restrictions for your international flight carrier.

Clothing

We recommend a casual, comfortable wardrobe that you can layer. Smart casual attire is appropriate for evening meals, and often travelers will bring an outfit that can be dressed up a bit for the welcome and farewell dinners (jacket and tie not required). Be sure to pack shoes that will be comfortable for you during long days on your feet. Laundry service and dry-cleaning service is available in the hotel for a fee.

Personal Protective Equipment

You should pack an ample supply of masks to last you throughout the program, bearing in mind it may not be possible to launder them along the way. The CDC offers a guide to masks, which you can access on their website, here. We also recommend you pack a personal supply of liquid hand sanitizer and/or sanitizing wipes.

Internet

Our hotel has wi-fi connection in the rooms. Rates and connection speed will vary.

Cell Phones

Contact your cell phone provider to find out how you can use your cell phone abroad. Charges will vary depending on the destination and your existing plan. Please note that many U.S. cell phone plans do not include international roaming, and charges can be quite high.

Adapter

You will need an adapter plug that looks like this to charge any of your electrical devices. If you travel frequently, a universal adapter will cover you on this trip as well as your future travels.

Converter

Most laptop computers, cell phones, and digital camera battery chargers can operate on a range of currents from 110-240 volts, in which case a converter is not necessary since the current in France is 220 volts, 50 cycles.