Here is some information which can be helpful prior to departure:

Tour Brochure:

It's really important to read your tour brochure and get acquainted with important information about the touring schedule, meals, what's included and what's not. It is much easier to travel knowing, rather than guessing. Be a smart traveler - read the brochure at least once prior to departure.

Safety and Security:

Please visit the Department of State website to carefully review important travel and safety information about your destination. Scopia LLC's destinations are listed on the Useful Links page. Prior to departure, it is also recommended to sign up for the STEP program, to receive destination alerts from the Department of State.

It's a good idea to have a photo stored on your phone, of the US embassy address and phone number at your destination(s).

Health:

Make an appointment with your doctor 6-8 weeks prior to departure, to discuss your trip and get updated on regular and destination-specific vaccines.

Bring medications you take regularly and store them in your carry-on (not checked luggage). It is recommended to have an extra 7-10 days of medications in case of any delays in returning home. It is best to bring the medications in the original containers (with the prescription sticker) and to take a photo of each prescription sticker in case you need to get a refill overseas.

Visit the CDC website to view recommended/required vaccinations for your destination(s). Scopia LLC destinations are listed on the Useful links page.

If you have a food allergy, be prepared to explain the details of your allergy (preferably written in the local language) to local restaurants. If your food or other allergy is of a serious nature, remember to bring an epi-pen.

Have someone on the group as your "meds buddy" - a person who knows where you keep your meds.

Passport:

Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of return. You can find renewal information on the Department of State website.

Take a photo of your passport and keep it accessible on your phone, in case you lose your passport. During the daytime at your destination, keep the passport in your front pocket or a hidden pouch on your person. At night, store the passport in your hotel safe.

A week or two prior to departure, be sure you know where your passport is stored at home and remember to bring it with you to the airport.

Electricity:

If you are traveling with electronic devices, be sure to find out if the devices operate only on US voltage (110-120) or on universal (dual) voltage (110-240). You can learn the difference in this video.

Most phones, tablets and laptops work on dual voltage, and therefore only require an adapter to fit the local outlets. Scopia LLC provides an adapter  to all tour participants. Other electronic devices such as hair rollers and CPAPs, may operate only on US voltage and therefore require a converter. You can learn the difference in this article.

You should never plug a US voltage device into a foreign electric outlet without a converter, as doing so may seriously damage your device, cause an electric outage or pose a fire hazard. 

Phone:

Remember to pack your phone charger.

Traveling to other countries without an international roaming plan can be very expensive. It's therefore important to call your mobile phone provider and ask about international plans for calls and data. If you are not planning to get an international plan, it is suggested to keep your phone on "airplane mode" during the tour and use the free hotel Wi-Fi for data.

Download WhatsApp to your phone. Most of the world communicates via WhatsApp and not regular text messages.

Money:

(a)  Cash for tour tips: If you have been advised that your tour cost does not include tips, bring the cash for the tips in a separate envelope, in small denominations ($1, $5, $10 and $20)

(b) Cash for spending / exchange: It is recommended to bring some cash for spending. Usually, US dollars are accepted everywhere, but using local currency might be easier. You can exchange your dollars to local currencies at your bank here in the US, at the airport in the US, at the arrival airport, at local banks or at exchange shops usually found in tourist spots. You can also get local currency from ATMs, although there will be a fee from the ATM bank and from your home bank.

Memorize your debit card PIN number, rather than carrying it with your debit card.

(c) Credit Cards: Generally-speaking, it is recommended to use your credit card wherever possible. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted and most of the time, so is American Express. Yet, you should check with your credit card if they charge foreign transaction fees.

If your credit card does not charge foreign transaction fees, then you should use it wherever possible, even for small purchases.

If your credit card charges foreign transaction fees, then you are probably better off using cash for most purchases.

Take a photo of the back of your credit card for the phone numbers to call in case the card is lost or stolen.

Clothing/Shoes:

Pack as little clothing as possible. You'll likely be wearing the same shirt and pants multiple times during the tour. What you really need to bring for daily changing is underwear and socks. As far as clothing (shirts and pants), check the 10-day weather forecast a few days prior to departure, to get an idea of what the weather will be like during your tour. You can review the tour itinerary and check the forecast for each city where you will be staying overnight.

For visits to holy sites (such as Churches, Mosques or the Western Wall in Jerusalem), modesty is the key word. Women should have a headscarf ready, while both men and women should be ready with shirts that cover the shoulders (no tank tops) and long pants or a skirt. Your guide will inform you of any requirements on the day before.

A pair of comfortable and sturdy walking/hiking shoes makes a big difference! Mesh shoes (airy) are better to keep your feet from sweating. For evenings or free time, you can bring a pair of sandals or dress shoes (depending on the weather) and also a pair of flipflops for the pool or beach. Flipflops are a must for visiting the Dead Sea in Israel.

For tours to sunny/hot destinations, bring a hat (brim hats are best).

Do You Need It?

Bring only those items that you will need during travel. If you don't need it, leave it at home. This is especially true for valuable items such as Jewelry, credit cards (except for the cards with which you travel), drivers license, etc.

Summarized Packing List:

Here is a basic packing list to help you keep track of items to bring with you:

1. Medical/Health:
2. Medical equipment and medications you take or use on a regular basis (7-10 days' supplies extra).
3. Prescriptions for medications and glasses.
4. Sunscreen (large bottle) and sunglasses
5. Toothpaste, toothbrush, toiletries and feminine hygienic products
6. Clothing (for each person):
7. 1 Hat (brim hats are better than baseball caps or visors)
8. 2-3 Comfortable long pants and 1 pair of short pants.
9. 5-6 T-Shirts or short-sleeved shirts and 2 long-sleeved shirts
10. Women - Scarf / Shawl for holy sites
11. Socks and undergarments.
12. Evening clothes or for special ceremonies (nice but casual, not required)
13. Light rain jacket (depending on destination and season)
14. Small umbrella (depending on destination and season)
15. Bathing suit for summer travel or if your hotels have pools.
16. Shoes:
17. 1 Pair of comfortable, sturdy hiking/athletic shoes
18. 1 Pair of comfortable evening/dress shoes
19. 1 Pair of sandals or flip-flops
20. 1 Small backpack (to put things during touring days)
21. Reusable water bottle
22. Electric adapter and/or converter.
23. Camera (for high quality photos).