• > How Strenuous are these Trips?
• > Group Participants and Tour Leader
• > Private Tours and Custom Dates
• > Local Transportation
• > Accommodations
• > Meals
• > Climate
• > Travel Documents
• > Flights
• > Airline Tickets
• > Money
• > Health
• > Luggage & Clothing
• > Resources
• > Communication

How Strenuous are these Trips?

Group adventures (with our Dutch groups) tend to be longer programs and are often more challenging than our private journeys in several ways. Many participants, of all ages, take hearty hikes and will rent bikes to explore. Participants of these group adventures are very independent minded. In addition to group activity, they will welcome opportunities to explore or dine on their own.The infrastructures in many of the countries are undeveloped compared to the States. Long road trips on bumpy roads can be uncomfortable for some travelers. Hotels are comfortable and simple but do not fancy amentities or services. In some of the more remote areas, roosters will crow, lights may dim, and a cold shower or two may be expected. Those who prefer intensely structured trips  or lots of one-on-one attention from the guide, may not enjoy these programs. But if you like an active style of travel and love more sponaneity and the idea of cultural immersion, these trips are lots of fun.

Be sure to check the weather conditions for the dates you are considering at worldweather.org, and pack appropriate shoes and clothing for these trips. At most hotels there is no porter service and you must be able to carry your own luggage.

Group Participants and Tour Leader

Private Tours and Custom Dates

Custom dates can be arranged for your private group of 10 or more. Please inquire about discounts for larger groups.

Local Transportation

We will travel on a bus of our own until we arrive at Saint Petersburg. Each bus is comfortable and they have ventilation and heat. Due to the relatively short distances we will have few long travel days. We will use local transportation in the cities.

Accommodations

We will spend the nights in centrally located, tourist-class hotels, where rooms always will have private bathrooms. The hotels are recently built or renovated and are within walking distance of the city centers.

If you are traveling alone you will be matched with a roommate of the same sex. Please note the cost of a single room listed in the cost descriptions. If you request a roommate, but we are unable to match you, there will be no penalty charge for the single room.

Meals

Breakfasts are included in the cost of the trip; usually they consist of an ample buffet. You may determine yourself where you want to have lunch and dinner. In the larger cities you will have quite a few restaurants to choose from; in the smaller towns choices are more limited.
The tour guide will always be able to recommend a nice restaurant with good food. Aside from restaurants with the usual European dishes, there are also some international restaurants. Dairy products and salads are readily available.

Climate

The climate in North-East Europe is one with cold winters and hot summers. The traveling takes place in the period of April through October. In spring and fall you want to prepare for cool days and cold nights. In summertime temperatures are usually pleasant. Daytime temperatures are in the high sixties and seventies Fahrenheit.

Travel Documents

- You will need a visa for Russia. We will send you visa form and instructions, plus other information requested by Russian Embassy.
- You will receive your airline tickets 10-12 days prior to your departure date. If e-tickets are issued, you will receive your e-ticket by e-mail. A hard copy of the e-ticket receipt will be mailed to you as well. You do not need the hard copy receipt when you check in at the airport.

LITHUANIA - *Passport required. Visa not required for a stay of up to 90 days. For further information, contact the Embassy of Lithuania, 2622 16th St., NW, Washington, DC 20009 (202/234-5860) or Consulate General in New York, 420 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10018 (212/354-7849) or Chicago, 211 East Ontario St., Suite 1500, Chicago, IL (312/397-0382).

LATVIA - *Passport required. Visa not required for a stay of up to 90 days. For specific requirements, contact the Embassy of Latvia, 4325 17th St., NW, Washington, DC 20011 (202/726-8213). Internet: www.latvia-usa.org

ESTONIA - *Passport required. Visas are not required for stays of up to 90 days, but for longer stays, a residency permit is required. For further information, contact the Estonian Embassy, temporarily located at 1730 M St., NW, Suite 503, Washington, DC 20036, (202/588-0101) or the Consulate General of Estonia, 600 Third Ave., 26th Floor, New York, NY 10016 (212/883-0636). Internet: www.estemb.org

RUSSIA - *Passport and visa required. Tourist visa requires 1 application form, 1 photo, confirmation and voucher from travel agency and/or hotel in Russia, cover letter from travel agency, and processing fee. Visa processing fee for business and tourist visas is $70 for 2 weeks, $80 for 1 week, and $110 for less than 3 working days. Fees must be paid by money order or cashier’s check only. Provide SASE for return of passport by mail. For additional information, contact the Consular Section of the Embassy of Russia, 2641 Tunlaw Road, NW, Washington, DC 20007 (202/939-8907 or 8918) or the nearest Consulate General: NY (212/348-0926, 0955, 0626), CA (415/928-6878), or WA (206/728-1910). Internet: www.russianembassy.org

Passport/Visa Expediting Service – Discounted for Djoser customers
If you need a passport or visa service to process your documents or need rush service, we recommend a service called It’s Easy, located in New York. You can check their website http://www.itseasypassport.com for passport and visa requirements and to download the current forms and rates and processing fees. Or you can call them to fax you forms if you do not have Internet. Please indicate you were referred by Djoser, Inc. They provide rush service for an additional fee.
It’s Easy honors a 10% discount for Djoser customer. The discount is applied to the service fees but not to the government fees.  

It’s Easy (Passport & Visa Service)
Satellite Airline Terminal
125 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Phone - (212) 286-8500,
Fax (212)-490-3224
Website   http://www.itseasypassport.com
E-mail     mail@itseasypassport.com

Flights

We book our flights with top airlines. Most airlines will honor earned mileage. You will need to submit your mileage credit yourself upon receipt of your flight information. For airlines that allow advance seating reservations, we typically request aisle and adjoining seats unless otherwise instructed on your registration form. It is vital that you arrive at the airport early, according to the airline (often 3 hours prior to flight time). We do provide airport transfers (airport pick-up and drop off) in our destination country for those who book the Land/Air package. Flight times are subject to change. It is recommended that you book your domestic Add-on (connecting) flights through Djoser in association with the international flight. To avoid penalties for flight changes do not book your own domestic add-on (connecting flight) without first receiving a printed copy of your flight record from Djoser confirming your actual departure and return flight times.  You will find more about flights in the General Information section. Below you will find the usual flight times for the airline indicated.

Sample flight with Lufthunsa

         Usual flight schedule – subject to change 

Airline Tickets

You will receive your tickets or E-tickets 10-12 days prior to your departure date.
In case the airline uses E-tickets you will receive two documents:

•    A document that shows the E-ticket number & flight itinerary (sent by email & mail).
•    A receipt of the E-ticket (sent by mail).

The first document listed is needed to check in at the Automated kiosks. If you check in at the E-ticket desk you don’t need any of the provided documents, you can simply show your passport and you’re good to go. Both the automated kiosk and the e-ticket desk insure a much faster check in than at the regular check in desks. It is important to hold on to your e-ticket receipt, as you might need it to claim your mileage credits (if the airline awards mileage for this particular flight).

Money

The different currencies and their values are:
In Lithuania: one Litas equals $ .357
In Latvia: the Lats equals $1.85
In Estonia: one Kroon equals $ .078
In Russia: one Ruble is worth $ .034
Respectively, for one dollar you will receive: 2.79 Litas, 0.539 Lats, 12.68 Kroon and 29.22 Rubles.
ATM: Available everywhere. This is the best way to access money.
Cash: Euros.
Credit Cards: Accepted many places.
As a guideline for expenses that are not included, such as meals, entrance fees, optional excursions and personal expenses we suggest a minimum of $250 per person per week.

Tipping  
At the beginning of your trip, your tour leader will collect a “tip pot” of approximately $2 per land day, per person. So that you will not be burdened with tipping those who assist you along the way, this sum will dispersed by the tour leader as tips for the driver, local guides and hotel staff. The tip pot does not include the tip for the tour leader. A typical guideline for an American tip would be $2-$3 per day but the amount is at your discretion and should be based on his/her efforts and your satisfaction level. Dutch tipping habits are different than North American guidelines. You may feel more comfortable tipping your guide privately to avoid the great cultural tipping debate. However, it’s up to you! We take pride in our Djoser guides who do their utmost to make your experience great. We do ask that you bear in mind their extra challenge of a dual language group.

Health

No immunizations are required for this trip but the Center for Disease Control recommends the innoculations listed below. Check with your doctor to see which are necessary for you, personally. We suggest that you are careful about what you eat. We also suggest that you bring along a small medical supply kit with some aspirin and something to ease an upset stomach.
See your doctor at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to allow time for shots to take effect.

•    Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG).
•    Hepatitis B, if you might be exposed to blood (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, stay longer than 6 months, or be exposed through medical treatment.
•    Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation.
•    Typhoid, particularly if you are visiting developing countries in this region.
•    As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria, measles, and a one-time dose of polio vaccine for adults. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for 11– to 12-year-olds who did not receive the series as infants.

To contact Center for Disease Control (CDC): http://www.cdc.gov/ travel or call CDC Traveler's Health 1-877-394-8747 or 1-800-311-3435. Send an inquiry to CDC by clicking through this address: http://www.cdc.gov/netinfo.htm

Luggage & Clothing

We advise that you use a soft duffle bag or a small suitcase, which is the easiest for loading and unloading on busses. For your own convenience, please, try to limit your luggage to 30 pounds. Remember to bring comfortable hiking shoes and be prepared for cool weather in spring and fall.
Electricity: 220 Volt.
Electrical Outlets: Typical European style. You will need an adaptor.

Resources

Communication

Phone: possible everywhere.
Internet cafes: in many locations.
Cell Phones: good reception everywhere. Inquire with your provider before you leave.