What do I bring?
What else is nice to have with me?
How much luggage may I bring?
Can I take any electrical items?
Should I bring my camera?
How do I get through customs?

What do I bring?

Essential Items

Passport If you have not yet applied for your passport, stop everything and do so right now. When you receive your passport, you should immediately sign it on page 2 since it is NOT valid unless signed by the bearer. Also, fill in the information requested on the inside front cover. Remember, KEEP YOUR PASSPORT SAFE (do not pack it in your checked luggage) and never loan it to anyone under any circumstances. Please get two xeroxed copies of the information pages on your passport (including the passport number) and pack one copy in your suitcase and send the other to The Center for Gifted Studies.

Photograph for Underground Pass Please bring a passport-size photograph of yourself. This photo can be a picture taken at home, so long as the picture of your face is about the same size as your passport picture.

Money You will buy two meals each day. You should plan on a minimum of ten dollars for each meal. Travelers checks are the best way to take money with you. Please put the numbers for your travelers checks some place other than where you put the checks. It would be wise to establish a budget so you will have the money you need at the end of the trip.

Waist Pack One of your primary concerns as you travel must be the security of your passport and travelers checks. Replacing a lost passport or travelers checks is a very difficult and time consuming task. For this reason, we request that you bring a waist pack (sometimes called a "fanny" pack) which has at least two zippered pockets. One of the pockets can be used for your passport and travelers checks and the other pocket can be used for extra film and money. These packs can be purchased at your local sporting goods or discount store.

Shoes Bring at least two pairs of very comfortable shoes in which you can walk three to four miles without getting sore feet. Athletic shoes are appropriate.

Clothes Slacks, jeans (no holes), khakis, sweaters, sweat shirts, sport shirts, and casual wear are appropriate for daily activities. Dress clothes are not necessary as we will wear the same outfit all day since it takes too much time to go back to change.

Sleep Wear The evenings can get chilly and the rooms will not be as warm as your room at home. You should bring warm sleep wear (e.g., pajamas, night gown, or sweat pants and sweat shirt). Since the bathroom is down the hall, you may wish to bring a robe; however, your raincoat can serve as a robe if you wish to save packing space.

Raincoat and a Fold-up Umbrella Since we will tour rain or shine, it is essential that you have rain gear that will keep you dry! When it rains in Europe, it can be windy, so an umbrella alone will not keep you dry.

Coat and Heavy Sweater It can be cold in Europe in the spring. Two years ago we experienced winter and spring weather while we were there. Please bring a winter coat. The best way to stay warm is to dress in layers. As the day warms up, you can remove your coat or sweater to stay comfortable. For those of you traveling to Italy this summer, a jacket is recommended.

Extra Glasses/Contacts If you wear eye glasses/contacts, you should seriously consider bringing an extra pair in case you lose or damage your originals.

A Dependable Watch and Travel Alarm You will be responsible for getting yourself up each morning and arriving on time when touring.

Washcloths Bring two or three light-weight wash cloths which you could leave at the end of the trip to avoid packing wet items. Often washcloths are not provided.

Journal Keeping a journal is a marvelous way to remember all that you have seen and done.

What else is nice to have with me?

"Walkman" and Tapes You may wish to listen to music you enjoy during the flights and on the motor coach while touring. (Limit the number of tapes you bring to 3-4. Put your name on the tapes you bring.)

A Good Book You may wish to read during the flights and before going to sleep in the evenings.

How much luggage may I bring?

Be certain that your luggage is light enough that you can carry it up a flight of stairs. Limit your luggage to one suitcase plus one carry-on bag. You will be bringing home more than you take, so pack lightly. The carry-on bag must be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you. Many students use a backpack as their piece of carry-on luggage. The backpack can be used during the trip to carry your camera, raincoat, umbrella, and other necessary items. In packing for the flight, it would be a good idea to put a pair of socks, a change of underwear, and toilet articles in your carry-on luggage in case your checked luggage arrives late.

Can I take any electrical items?

Do not take electrical items unless they are absolutely essential. Use of items such as radios, curling irons, blow dryers and contact lens sterilizers will be a problem since these items are designed for the 110 volt current in the U.S. If you cannot do without a blow dryer or contact lens sterilizer on the trip, you must purchase two items. The first is a converter and the second is an adapter plug for European electrical outlets. Failure to use a converter will result in permanent damage to your electrical item. Check your dryer to see if it has a switch for 220. If so, you only need to purchase an adapter. Stores such as Radio Shack carry both the converter and adapter plug you will need.

Should I bring my camera?

Pictures and slides make a marvelous way to remember special experiences.

Regardless of the format of your camera (disk, cartridge, movie or 35mm), check your camera thoroughly before you leave. Make sure that the batteries are fresh and that you have a spare set. If your picture-taking is infrequent, you should read your camera's manual to review all of the camera functions and controls and then shoot a short roll of film and have it developed to be sure you are getting good pictures before the trip.

How do I get through customs?

Getting into London and Italy will require that you pass through the customs checkpoint at the airport. Problems could arise if you are using any medicines which contain habit-forming drugs or narcotics. You should have with you a written statement from your personal physician that the medicine is being used under a doctor's direction and is necessary for your physical well-being while traveling. Always carry prescribed drugs in their original containers.

When you return to the United States, you must also clear U.S. Customs. You will be given a customs declaration form on the plane on the return flight. On the declaration form, you should state the price actually paid for each article in dollars or the equivalent in the country of acquisition. You may lump souvenirs of small value in a combined figure. If you exceed the $400 limit, you must pay duty at a flat rate of 10% on the next $1,000 in items. Should you exceed $1,400 in total items being brought back, you will pay an additional duty averaging about 12%.