Prepare for your Flight
Check your online account 30 days prior to departure for your flight itinerary and confirmation number. You can check in to your flight 24 hours prior to departure. If you prefer to check in at the airport, plan to arrive 2.5 – 3 hours before departure.

All flight information is online (e-ticket) via your account and the airline’s website. You will not receive a physical paper ticket from us.

• If your flight is canceled or delayed: Don’t worry! We design the first day of tour as an arrival day in case of flight delays or cancelations. Work with the airline to get rebooked on the next available flight, then let your Tour Director know your new arrival time
• If you slept in and missed your flight: You should still talk to the airline and see if they can get you on the next available option. Tears may help in this case…

Arriving in London
Once you land in London, you will be met by your chauffer driver (fancy, right?) who will take you to your first accommodation. Here are steps on how to find your driver depending on the terminal you arrive in.

• Terminal 1: Your meeting point will be at the arrivals area in the terminal, your driver will be holding an EF Ultimate Break sign.
• Terminal 2: Your meeting point will be at the arrivals area in the terminal, your driver will be holding an EF Ultimate Break sign.
• Terminal 3: Your meeting point will be at the WH Smith located in the terminal, your driver will be holding an EF Ultimate Break sign.
• Terminal 4: Your meeting point will be at the arrivals area in the terminal, your driver will be holding an EF Ultimate Break sign.
• Terminal 5: Your meeting point will be at the Costa Coffee located in the terminal, your driver will be holding an EF Ultimate Break sign.

Please note it is common to wait about 45 minutes – 1 hour for your driver as they may be stuck in traffic. They have all of your flight itineraries and will group 1-6 travelers together if people are arriving together. If you aren’t able to find your driver and have been waiting for more than 45 minutes please call at +44 203 813 3957 (Heathrow has free WiFi), let them know your name and you are an EF Ultimate Break traveler.

If you have booked your own flight arrangements or have extended your travels before the tour dates, you will need to make your own way to the first hotel. Accommodation details will be available in your online account 30 days prior to departure.

Getting from A to B
Transfers between cities are via plane, train, and automobile, and they can take anywhere between 2-8 hours. As you journey from country to country with stops in-between, you’ll cover over 6,000km of the most beautiful air, land, and sea in Europe. You’ll also receive a public transportation pass in most major cities where necessary. Transportation in cities that offer no pass may require more walking. Prepare to walk between 4-8 miles per day, especially when sightseeing.

It’s a good idea to bring a great book with you for transfer days. Try bringing a novel that’s based in somewhere you’re visiting! We recommend “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”, anything by Dan Brown (The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons, Origin), or The Bourne Series!

A month in Europe is exciting and life-changing, but to make the most of this trip without burning out, we have a couple tips and reminders:

• Sleep: Flying across the globe, changing time zones, and being constantly on the move can take a toll on your body. Make sure you get the rest your body needs. If that means missing a night out for some well-earned rest, or having a little afternoon nap, so be it. This is a marathon, not a sprint.
• Be Prepared: We recommend bringing a small first aid kit including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication, motion sickness medication, and any prescription medications in your carry-on bag.
• Take time for yourself: Group travel is an amazing experience, and there’s nothing quite like exploring a foreign country with a group of like-minded people. That said, it’s okay to take time for yourself to relax and reflect on your experience. Here are a couple mindfulness apps you can take with you on the road:
  • MindShift: Focused on anxiety management, this app has an array of cognitive behavior therapy features including journaling, goal-setting, calming audio, and a community forum.
  • Ten Percent Happier: Filled with videos and guided meditations intended to help with everything ranging from sleep to stress reduction.
• Rooming: Maybe you’re a night owl and your roommates are early risers. Maybe you find your new BFF on tour. Maybe your roomie is a snorer and you’re a light sleeper. Whatever it is, let your Tour Director know and they can try to rearrange room assignments at the next accommodation.
• Carpe Diem: You’re in EUROPE! Make the most of every day and remember why you chose to travel in the first place. This is an epic experience, so make it yours.

With a global presence of more than 46,000 people in over 115 countries and regions, we’re fully committed to your safety. From your first flight all the way through to your farewell dinner, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Tour Director or your Trip Consultant if you need a helping hand. Keep these extra tips in mind so you can #travelsmart:

• Keep your bag/purse in front of you and your phone zipped inside when you’re not using it. Leave your laptop at home, store valuables at the hotel in locked luggage or the safe deposit box. Refrain from carrying large sums of money or wearing valuable jewelry.
• Pick-pocketing is fairly common in major European cities. Always watch your belongings and keep an eye out for one another.
• Use the buddy system. Stay in groups and watch out for each other, especially at night—no one gets left behind!
• Before you go out, grab a business card at your hotel so that you always have the address handy for getting back later.
• At the end of a night out, use trusted transportation like a licensed taxi, and always have cash on hand.
• Be smart about alcohol consumption. Watch your drinks and don’t accept drinks from people you don’t know. Don’t leave the bar alone with someone you just met.
• Save our 24/7 number in your phone: +1–617–619–1411

You’ll stay at hostels hand-picked by our team of local experts, in rooms only for EF Ultimate Break travelers. You may be sharing a room with up to 10 fellow travelers of the same gender from your group.

• Complimentary towels will not be available for use. We recommend packing your own, along with shampoo and conditioner. Microfiber towels are a great option; they pack small and dry fast!
• Bed-making services will not be provided. You will find sheets placed on your bed for you to apply to the mattress, and the beds won’t be remade daily by hostel staff.
• Hostels tend to offer simple breakfast options that are easier to take on the go. You’re more likely to find items like breads, cereal, fruit, or yogurt than hot items like cooked eggs and proteins. Options may be limited.
• Limited air conditioning – AC is popular in the U.S., but not in Europe

Traveling like this ensures maximum convenience and affordability, without sacrificing any safety. You’ll receive your exact accommodations 30 days before your trip departs.

For weight and size restrictions please refer to your airline’s website. Flight information will be available 30 days prior to departure in your online account. Below you'll find some critical packing information and suggestions.

• The most important piece of advice we can give you: Pack light! Your international airline ticket does include a checked bag, but years of customer feedback tells us a carry-on is the way to go. You may need to carry your suitcase where buses and elevators cannot, so make sure you are comfortable carrying everything you bring yourself.
  • You've probably heard the hacks about rolling clothes and using packing cubes a million times, but there's a reason for that! It really does help.
  • If you choose to pack all of your toiletries, don't bring your regular-sized bottles from home. Offload some of that into travel-sized containers.
  • Choose your luggage wisely. We recommend a roller carry-on bag and a backpack as your personal item.
  • Choose shoes carefully as well. They're some of the bulkiest items you can pack, so we recommend a good pair of walking shoes and a pair of climate-appropriate shoes (boots or sandals depending on the destination and time of year). We also recommend a pair of closed-toe water shoes if your itinerary has any water activities.
  • Make a packing list of must-haves and stick to it. If you have a little extra space in your bags once all your must-haves are packed, then consider adding in a few nice extras.
• Unfortunately, luggage can get lost. It’s a painful situation no matter what, but here are tips to ease some of the hassle:
  • DO NOT put important medications in a checked bag. If your luggage is lost, this could become a dangerous issue.
  • Even if you put most of your clothes in a checked bag, put a couple outfits in your carry-on along with your toiletries.
  • If you are forced to check you carry-on at the gate, be sure to remove essentials and valuables before handing it over.
• Carefully review TSA restrictions when packing. There are a number of items not allowed in your carry-on and liquids have certain restrictions.
• Complimentary towels will not be available for use in hostels. We recommend packing your own, along with shampoo and conditioner. Microfiber towels are a great option; they pack small and dry fast!
• Check out the local weather; we haven't figured out how to control the weather yet so best to be prepared and plan accordingly.
• Don't forget: Outlets overseas can differ from the US, so be sure to pack the right power adapters/converters!

We at EF will help facilitate any testing requirements while on tour, however it is the travelers responsibility to pay for these tests and it is our recommendation that you budget roughly 150 USD total. Please note that non-boosted travelers may be required to do additional testing to enter places such as restaurants, and/or major attractions.

Budgeting
Budget around $80- $100 per day for meals, drinks, souvenirs, and tips or extra activities.

Remember that you know your spending habits best and not everyone’s spending habits are the same. These recommendations are based on a traveler who says yes to any and all activities while on tour.

Managing Money
Cash and most well-known credit/debit cards are widely accepted in Europe, and ATMs are everywhere. Let your bank and credit card companies know your travel plans ahead of time to avoid potential complications while abroad.

These are the currencies you will be dealing with:

• England: Pound Sterling (£)
• France: Euro (€)
• Netherlands: Euro (€)
• Germany: Euro (€)
• Switzerland: Swiss Franc (CHf)
• Italy: Euro (€)
• Spain: Euro (€)

Tipping

• For your Tour Director, we recommend tipping $120-$180 at the end of the trip if you feel inclined.
• Tipping at restaurants is not customary in Europe, but many locals leave 1-2 Euro for exceptional service.
• Tipping for taxis is not common practice either, though many people simply round up the fare.

As you prepare to spend time in numerous new cities, countries, and cultures, here are some expert tips to help you live like a true European.

• Attempting the local language when greeting people, ordering food, or navigating a new city shows respect and goes a long way with locals!
  • On this trip you'll encounter French, Dutch, German, Italian, and Spanish. Download Duolingo or some language-learning podcasts to practice your skills, and use Google Translate to help you while on the road!
• Siestas. Many Europeans take a long midday break and close shops from 12-2pm to spend time with friends and family
• Europeans are night owls. Nighttime is when cities come to life – embrace it!
• Dress the part. Europeans dress to impress. We recommend comfortable clothes and walking shoes, but now's the time to try your new sunhat, fancy shades, and the latest trends.
• Embrace the culture. Unlike the U.S., water isn’t free, customer service is more hands-off, and everything (hotels, meals, appliances) is smaller. Instead of comparing, dive all in!

You’ll sample a variety of local dishes on your trip, but read on for some delicacies you must try in every country.

• United Kingdom: English breakfast, afternoon tea, fish and chips, beef wellington, and eton mess
• France: Baguette (no-brainer), steak frites, crepes, and a café au lait
• Netherlands: Herring, stroopwafel, bitterballen, and poffertjes
• Switzerland: Racelette cheese, any Swiss chocolate, and some zopf (Swiss bread)
• Italy: Chianti Classico, gelato, cacio e pepe, a Florentine Steak to feel fancy, and all the pizza
• Spain: Paella, patatas bravas, and pa amb tomaquet

If you did not purchase EF Ultimate Break Optional Excursions before the trip began, you can log into your Online Account and do so on tour. You can also talk to your Tour Director on tour and they can help you get enrolled. If you’d like to plan something else during your free time, connect with your Tour Director before doing so; they sometimes arrange extra activities for the group during free time.

Prices for these optional excursions will increase on tour, so please check your online account for available add-ons.

Note: If you want to visit sites like the Anne Frank House during your free time, make sure to book your ticket in advance. check with your Tour Director before the tour for the best time and date to do so.

Regarding the Versailles optional: The Palace of Versailles is closed on Mondays. In the event that the itinerary day containing the optional lands on a Monday for your departure, the optional will take place the following day.