Departure Notice
You will receive a departure notice which gives instructions as to the airport check-in formalities about 10days prior to your tour group’s departure. You will also be given a day-to-day tour itinerary and a list of accommodation that you will be staying in during the tour.

Baggage
In accordance with international regulations, each piece of baggage must be labeled with your full name and permanent home address. All these precautions are to prevent your baggage going astray. You are allowed to carry one medium sized suitcase that measures no more than 55cm x 40cm x 20cm and not exceeding 20kg throughout your trip. This baggage limitation is due to air or coach transportation requirements that are beyond our control. Most airlines restrict hand baggage to one piece per passenger for reasons of comfort and safety on board the aircraft. The size of this hand baggage must be able to fit under the aircraft in front of you.

Budgeting
This is a knotty question to answer, since the amount will vary from person to person and from tour to tour. You will only need money for any additional or the meals not provided in the itinerary, beverages, tips, personal shopping and optional tours, gifts and souvenirs. It is better to bring more money than you think you will need as sometimes, it can be a complicated and time-consuming process to arrange for a money transfer. As the cost of living varies from country to country, the amount spent on meals, beverages and tips will also vary. A budgeting guideline will be given depending on the destination.

Money Matters
Our advice is to carry as little cash as possible, maybe just enough to cover the expenditures for minor items. The more cash you carry the more worries you would have. Therefore, we recommend traveller’s cheques in major currencies and credit cards.

Health
You can easily seek protection against preventable diseases, especially if you are traveling to places where the risks of exposure to germ and viruses are high. With the different kinds of vaccination available, it is best to consult your doctor well before your departure date to determine which jabs are suitable and advisable for your particular tour. If you are on a regular course of medication, and/or if there are medicines that particularly suit you, we recommend that you bring with you an adequate supply for your whole holiday.

Insurance
We highly recommend for you to arrange travel insurance to cover all possibilities during an overseas trip. This is a wise investment; it not only covers the exorbitant medical expenses overseas, such as medical consultation and hospitalization, to name but a few, it also compensates the loss of baggage, delay in the airline’s schedule, cancellation of tour, etc. ISE Travel would earnestly urge you to take up an insurance while vacationing abroad because accidents can happen anywhere, anytime and it is hard to foretell.

Packing Hints

Clothing
Travel light, dress comfortably and pack easy-care items. Travelling in the summer, you will need cotton clothes and a light cardigan or sweater for the cool evening. In winter, bring different layers of clothing as temperatures vary considerably. A thick wool jacket and a pair of long johns can be good enough to fortify your body against the chill. Also hand gloves and muffler are indispensable if you are traveling in the midst of winter when it is snowing or towards the end of the winter season.

Eyewear
If you are wearing spectacles or contact lenses, bring a spare pair or the prescriptions with you in case of loss or breakage. In several places, such as the bigger cities, you may replace them rather quickly but the cost may be exorbitant, and in smaller cities there will not be sufficient time for replacements.

Footwear
Please bring sturdy but comfortable flat shoes, preferably sports shoes, as you will have to live in these shoes on a daily basis while sightseeing, which includes climbing through ruins and crossing rough ground and cobble stones. Do not forget to bring several pair of socks and preferably woolen socks when traveling during winter months.

Film
Most brands of film are available in most countries but they can sometimes be more expensive; hence it is wise to purchase them duty free or at home.

Electrical Items / Voltage
Before using any electrical appliance in a foreign country, it is advisable to check the voltage first. Different country has different types of plugs. It is wise to carry with you a multi-purpose adaptor.

When packing, make sure you leave plenty of space for purchases you will make during your trip. Remember excess baggage is very expensive. Generally, airlines are very strict about excess baggage. If you exceed your allowance you will have to mail back or send as unaccompanied baggage at your expense.

Passport
Please ensure that your passport is in order and it is valid for the entire duration of your trip abroad. Your passport should also be valid for at least 8 months from the intended date of departure from the last destination of your itinerary. It is very important to ensure the validity as such so as to avoid getting into trouble with the customs and immigration authorities.

Visa
You must have the necessary visa and all other travel documents as required by the authorities of the country to be visited prior to arrival. Please note it is quite difficult to arrange for a visa once you are overseas, and it can prove to be very time-consuming and troublesome apart from the extra costs incurred. Make sure you allow sufficient time prior to departure to obtain the visa and check that it is valid for the entire duration of your stay. ISE has the facilities to apply the visas on your behalf.

What to Bring - Travel Checklist - Basic Packing list

	Essential
	Tickets
	Passport
	Visas
	Organiser
	ATM/Credit cards
	US & local currency
	Traveller’s cheques
	Vaccination certificate
			Appliances
	Travel Insurance		Travel jug, pot
	Increase credit overdraft		Travel iron, hairdryer
			Adaptors & converters
	Personal Care		Handphone, batteries
	Moisturiser, cleanser		Charger
	Lip balm, sunscreen		Camera, film, batteries
	Deodorant		Alarm clock
	Cosmetics, perfume
	Shaving supplies		Wardrobe
	Contact lens & cleanser		Crease-resistant clothes
	Soap, cream detergent		T-shirts / shorts
	Toothpaste, toothbrush		Pyjamas / lingerie
	Comb/brush Belts
	Shower cap
	Wet tissues
	Cotton buds		Sweater / jacket
	Shoe care kit
	Feminine hygiene products		Slippers / shoes
			Beach wear, sports wear
			Disposable underwear
	On Board		Gloves/socks/cap
	Reading material / games		Winter wear
	Phrase books / Guide books		Sunglasses
	Earplug Raincoat/umbrella		Eye mask
	Neck pillow
			Accessories
			Luggage ID tags
	First Aid		Trolley
	Band aid / dressing		Luggage strap
	Antiseptic cream		Padlocks
	Jetlag medicine		Backpack
	Insect repellent		Waist pouch
	Motion sickness tablets		Money belt
	Mild laxative
	Aspirin / Antacid / Lozenges		Calculator
	Anti-diarrhoeal tablets		Measuring tape
	Water-purifying tablets		Torchlight

Departure Day

Airport Check in
Please be at the airport at the appointed time (2 hours prior to departure) to ensure a smooth check-in. Have your baggage checked by the security personnel before handing them to our airport representative/tour manager. They will assist you in the check in formalities and you simply hand over your passport to them

Air tickets
For group tours, your airline tickets will be held by your tour manager to facilitate check in procedures. However, if you are extending your stay at the end of your trip, the tickets will be handed back to you.

On board flight
It is advisable to wear comfortably for the flight. As the temperature in the aircraft can be quite chilly, you may want to bring a jacket or a pullover. Drink plenty of non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages. A glass of water every hour is good.