Explore Europe

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Dublin, Ireland

Passport and Visa Requirements
A tourist passport is required for all trips outside of Germany.

Important passport rules are as follows:
If you have a passport with a SOFA stamp on any page (a “No-Fee” passport), you are provided permission to reside in Germany, NOT to travel outside of Germany. You have to have a tourist passport in addition to the SOFA/”No-Fee” passport to travel outside of Germany. You cannot travel with a RED Official passport as that is used only for the purpose of a mission or deployment. If you have a passport with a detachable SOFA card clipped inside, it is acceptable to travel with as that was issued originally as a tourist passport. If you are not sure: a tourist passport will be BLUE and will be valid for 10 years for adults. It cannot contain a SOFA stamp on any page or it is not acceptable. A child’s tourist passport (under 15 years of age) is valid for 5 years, but will not have a SOFA stamp in it anywhere. All of this information has been verified to be correct with the Grafenwoehr Passport Office.

Baggage Allowance
· One check-in bag: max weight up to 10kg (22lb).
· One small personal carry-on item: max size 25cm H (10”) x 33cm W (13”) x 20cm D(8”).

Clothing & Packing
We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered. For sightseeing, we suggest bringing a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers, as well as a lightweight jacket or rainwear. If you’re planning a visit to a high-end restaurant or performance, you may also want to bring dressier attire. Also, please be respectful and avoid showing bare legs or shoulders when visiting churches or other religious sites (entrance may be denied on this basis).

Health
There are no major health risks associated with traveling to Ireland. However, it’s always advisable to check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates.

Cuisine
Traditional Irish cooking is simple, relying heavily on meat-based dishes. Traditional Irish stew and bacon and boiled cabbage are always popular choices. Soda bread is delicious and very filling, as are Irish cakes, such as scones and Barm Brack. The thick black stout known as Guinness is a national institution. In recent years, Dublin has seen something of a culinary revolution, and the city now boasts an impressive array of new restaurants offering exciting and sometimes unexpected cuisine.

Transportation
Round-trip flights arrive in and depart from Dublin. Included transportation is by private bus  in Ireland. Most of the destinations are easily walkable, but you may want to spend your free time exploring Dublin by a combination of walking and public transportation. The city is serviced by numerous buses, and if you wish to take excursions on your own outside of Dublin, use the very efficient Dublin Area Rapid Transport (DART) trains, which hit most locations on the coast.

Electricity
Ireland operates on the European standard 220 volts.

Time Zones
Ireland falls on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Currency
The euro is the currency you’ll be using on your tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed. You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

Travel Insurance
We recommend you get travel insurance to reimburse you for unforeseen trip cancellation. Please follow this link to get a quote through Travel Insured.

Here you can see what our travelers say about this trip!

Have you been on a trip with us? We appreciate each of you and would love to have your comments and experiences posted for the consideration of future and prospective travelers.

We recommend you get travel insurance to reimburse you for unforeseen trip cancellation. Please follow this link to get a quote through Travel Insured.

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• Palma, Spain

Meeting point for the start of the trip
Your trip starts and finishes in Stuttgart Airport, Germany.

Passport and Visa Requirements
A tourist passport is required for all trips outside of Germany.

Important passport rules are as follows:
If you have a passport with a SOFA stamp on any page (a “No-Fee” passport), you are provided permission to reside in Germany, NOT to travel outside of Germany. You have to have a tourist passport in addition to the SOFA/”No-Fee” passport to travel outside of Germany. You cannot travel with a RED Official passport as that is used only for the purpose of a mission or deployment. If you have a passport with a detachable SOFA card clipped inside, it is acceptable to travel with as that was issued originally as a tourist passport. If you are not sure: a tourist passport will be BLUE and will be valid for 10 years for adults. It cannot contain a SOFA stamp on any page or it is not acceptable. A child’s tourist passport (under 15 years of age) is valid for 5 years, but will not have a SOFA stamp in it anywhere. All of this information has been verified to be correct with the Grafenwoehr Passport Office.

Baggage Allowance
2 Bags:
· One check-in bag: max weight up to 10kg (22lb). Max size 55cm H (21.5″) x 40cm W (15.5″) x 20cm D (9.5“)
· One small on board bag: max size 35cm H (14”) x 20cm W (8”) x 20cm D(8”)

Clothing and Packing Tips
Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring the sights is essential for your tour. If you plan to visit an especially elegant restaurant or attend the opera or theater, you will probably feel more comfortable in something more formal. Also, remember that it is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (entrance may be denied on this basis).

Health
There are no major health risks when traveling to Spain. It is always advisable to check with your doctor or health-care provider for the latest updates.

Cuisine
In Spain, breakfast like a local with just a pastry and coffee. Then, tuck into a three-course lunch featuring a Spanish staple like savory seafood paella or grilled meat and fried potatoes. Dinner is less hearty than lunch and is served late, between 9pm and midnight. Snack on small plates called tapas any time of day. Seafood, such as spiny lobster, and pork products, such as the cured sausage known as sobrasada, are common in the Balearic Islands.

Electricity
Spain operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins. We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.

Currency
The Euro is the currency you will be using in Spain. We advise that you take a combination of bank/ATM cards, credit cards and traveler’s checks, which can be exchanged for cash at local banks, as needed. We suggest informing your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so they don’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

Travel Insurance
We recommend you get travel insurance to reimburse you for unforeseen trip cancellation.

Here you can see what our travelers say about this trip!

Have you been on a trip with us? We appreciate each of you and would love to have your comments and experiences posted for the consideration of future and prospective travelers.

We recommend you get travel insurance to reimburse you for unforeseen trip cancellation.

How’s the weather?

Athens, Greece

Meeting point for the start of the trip
Your trip starts and finishes at the airport in Stuttgart, Germany.

Address: Stuttgart Airport, Flughafenstraße 32, 70629 Stuttgart, Germany

Passport & Visa
A tourist passport is required for all trips outside of Germany.

Important passport rules are as follows:
If you have a passport with a SOFA stamp on any page (a “No-Fee” passport), you are provided permission to reside in Germany, NOT to travel outside of Germany. You have to have a tourist passport in addition to the SOFA/”No-Fee” passport to travel outside of Germany. You cannot travel with a RED Official passport as that is used only for the purpose of a mission or deployment. If you have a passport with a detachable SOFA card clipped inside, it is acceptable to travel with as that was issued originally as a tourist passport. If you are not sure: a tourist passport will be BLUE and will be valid for 10 years for adults. It cannot contain a SOFA stamp on any page or it is not acceptable. A child’s tourist passport (under 15 years of age) is valid for 5 years, but will not have a SOFA stamp in it anywhere. All of this information has been verified to be correct with the Grafenwoehr Passport Office.

Health
There are no major health risks when traveling to Greece. During the summer months, take proper care for sun exposure. Also, codeine (commonly found in headache medications) is banned in Greece, and you may face prosecution if you bring it into the country. It is always advisable to check with your doctor or health-care provider for the latest updates and travel recommendations.

Transportation
Round-trip direct flights from Stuttgart to Athens are included. All other included transportation is in Athens by private bus. In your free time, you may wish to explore the city by public transportation. Despite the famed hustle and bustle of Athens, the city’s main attractions are easily accessed on foot. If you do need to use public transportation, however, there’s a metro system that was conveniently completed in time for the 2004 Olympics.

Baggage Allowance
· One 12 kg (approx. 22 lbs) checked in bag
· One personal item such as a purse or backpack: max size 40cm H (16”) x 20cm W (8”) x 20cm D (8”).

Clothing & Packing Tips
Due to the temperate climate, light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring the sights is essential for your trip. A sun hat, sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes are recommended for sightseeing. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and emergency rainwear are advised. If you plan to visit an especially elegant restaurant or attend the opera or theater, you will probably feel more comfortable in something more formal. Also, remember that it is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (entrance may be denied on this basis).

Currency
The Euro is the currency you will be using on your trip. We strongly advise that you take a combination of bank/debit cards and credit cards. We suggest informing your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so they don’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

Cuisine
One of the pleasures of traveling is the variety of local cuisine. Greece’s climate ensures a constant supply of high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables. Salads are excellent here, served with olive oil and topped with feta cheese and oregano. Grilled fish and meat are also a staple. Barbecued lamb, squid, octopus, spinach and cheese pies, baked eggplant and zucchini are other delicious dishes.

Travel Insurance
We recommend you get travel insurance to reimburse you for unforeseen trip cancellation. Please follow this link to get a quote through Travel Insured.

Here you can see what our travelers say about this trip!

Have you been on a trip with us? We appreciate each of you and would love to have your comments and experiences posted for the consideration of future and prospective travelers.

We recommend you get travel insurance to reimburse you for unforeseen trip cancellation. Please follow this link to get a quote through Travel Insured.

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• Barcelona, Spain

Meeting point for the start of the trip
Your trip starts and finishes in Grafenwoehr, Germany.

Address: Dießfurter Str, 92655 Grafenwoehr (parking lot)
Instructions: if you are exiting McDonald’s parking lot in Grafenwoehr you will turn right on to B299 as if you are going towards Netzaberg. You will then take your very first right (as if you are going towards MegaPlay) and as soon as you cross the small bridge there is a driveway on the right side which you can enter into a parking lot. You should see several cars and the bus there. The parking lot is exclusively available for our passengers during the duration of the trip.

Passport and Visa Requirements
Explore Europe enforces the requirement to possess a tourist passport for all trips outside of Germany. Should you come to the departure point and present the incorrect passport, you will be turned away with no refund, per our cancellation policy.

Important passport rules are as follows:
If you have a passport with a SOFA stamp on any page (a “No-Fee” passport), you are provided permission to reside in Germany, NOT to travel outside of Germany. You have to have a tourist passport in addition to the SOFA/”No-Fee” passport to travel outside of Germany. You cannot travel with a RED Official passport as that is used only for the purpose of a mission or deployment. If you have a passport with a detachable SOFA card clipped inside, it is acceptable to travel with as that was issued originally as a tourist passport. If you are not sure: a tourist passport will be BLUE and will be valid for 10 years for adults. It cannot contain a SOFA stamp on any page or it is not acceptable. A child’s tourist passport (under 15 years of age) is valid for 5 years, but will not have a SOFA stamp in it anywhere. All of this information has been verified to be correct with the Grafenwoehr Passport Office.

Baggage Allowance
Each adult is entitled to one luggage and one personal item. Luggage should be able to be stored below the bus and the personal item should contain whatever you might need on the bus. Pillows and blankets do not count for the personal item. If you have additional items such as strollers, carseats, etc. please send us a message to make those arrangements.

Clothing & Packing Tips
To ensure you’re comfortable while out exploring, we recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered. For sightseeing, we suggest bringing a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers, as well as a lightweight sports jacket or rainwear. If you’re planning a visit to a high-end restaurant or performance, you may also want to bring dressier attire. Also, please remember that it’s preferable to avoid showing bare legs or shoulders during visits to churches or other religious sites (entrance may be denied on this basis).

Health
There are no major health risks associated with traveling to Spain. Be sure to check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and travel requirements.

Cuisine
Catalonian cuisine is markedly different from food in other parts of Spain. Nearly every restaurant will offer pa amb tomàquet—toasted bread with tomato and olive oil—as an appetizer. Hearty stews such as escudella and ollada are paired with local vegetable dishes such as escalivada and calçots con romesco. Crema Catalan is the best-known local dessert, but you won’t have to look far to indulge your sweet tooth.

Transportation
Included transportation is by spacy, comfortable, air-conditioned bus. In your free time, you may wish to explore Barcelona on foot or by public transportation. Purchase tickets at vending machines. Barcelona offers both underground transportation and bus service to the city’s major attractions. Subway and bus tickets may be purchased separately or in bulk.

Electricity
Spain operates on the European standard of 220 volts.

Currency
The euro is the currency you’ll use on tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in your destination countries, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We advise that you take a combination of bank/ATM cards and credit cards, as needed. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

Here you can see what our travelers say about this trip!

Have you been on a trip with us? We appreciate each of you and would love to have your comments and experiences posted for the consideration of future and prospective travelers.

We recommend you get travel insurance to reimburse you for unforeseen trip cancellation. Please follow this link to get a quote through Travel Insured.