2019 & 2020 Bohemia Sampler 12 Days - Canada Departure

Before Packing
Check the weather of your destination a week before your trip and get a sense of the clothes you'll need to pack. Determine the purpose of your trip and decide what to pack. Make a packing list and mark the number according to the importance. Leave keys, your contact information and a copy of your travel itinerary to family or friends.
The following the average temperature for each city:

Europe Picking List
We suggest travelers pack as light as possible. Pack Smart! Leave more space to make your tour comfortable and pleasant.
Essential items
Passport, Visa, and other necessary travel documents. Airlines, cruise (if any) or train (if any) tickets. A guide book or phrasebook with English. Map of places you are going to visit. Emergency card with your detailed contact information including full name, address, phone number. Money, credit card, Traveler's checks, and cash. First-aid kit. Your medical record and medicines like vitamins, Pepto Bismol and Imodium chewable. Alarm clock or watch with an alarm.
Tip: Make two copies of your passport and visa before leaving.  Keep one copy with you and one at the hotel.
Clothing
The casual outdoor clothes are highly recommended. A pair of comfortable walking shoes. Socks, pants, and underwear. An umbrella and waterproof. Laundry bag. Bring clothes according to what season you are traveling.
Spring (Mar - May): Layers, western suites, sports coats, jackets, sweater, long sleeve shirts.
Summer (Jun - Sep): T-shirts, skirts, sandals, caps.
Autumn (Oct - Nov): Layers, western suites, sports coats, jackets, sweater, long sleeve shirts.
Winter (Dec - Feb): Down garment, overcoat, thick woolen sweaters, lined coats, cap, gloves and cotton-padded shoes.
 Other Items/Electricity
Camera and batteries, camcorder and mobile phone. Chargers of your cell phone, digital camera, etc. The electricity used in Europe is 220 volt AC. For safety purpose, preparing an adapter is a much better idea.
Currency Exchange
Austria, Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia, Slovakia and Czech Republic, Euro and local currencies can be used.  We advise you should exchange the currencies before you leave for your local shopping use.  Most of the shops do not accept 500 Euro money note, 100 Euro note is more commonly use.  Tipping in restaurants is a practice.
The currency in Russia is the Russian rouble (RUB). Credit/debit cards are widely used in major Russian cities, including most hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions, supermarkets and other shops. ATMs are easy to find; predominantly in bank outlets.
Public washrooms required money, it is wise to prepare some small changes for this use.  For consumption over 10 Euro can use credit card.  For your safety we suggest you do not take too much cash with you.  If you prepare to do lot of shopping, you may use credit card to do so.
Europe Packing Tips
Make copies for all your necessary materials and keep the copied items separately from the original one. Store a backup of your information in your email account or on a USB thumb drive. Do not carry too much cash. Do not carry expensive jewelry and watches. Do not keep your credit card and identification card together. Do not pack excessive quantities of drugs as you may have problems at Europe Customs. Rolling your clothes together instead of folding them one by one to save space. Put the items you regularly use at the top of your carry on. Leave some room in your bags for gifts and souvenirs. Always put the valuables in the hotel safe and clear your safe when checking out.
Mobile phones & SIM cards:
To use your cell phone while in Eastern Europe, either activate international roaming or unlock your phone with your service provider. The first is easier but more expensive. Unlocking your phone allows you to use local calling services and plans. Give your service provider a call and they'll set it up for you.
Travel Safety and Security
Never drink the tap water in the hotels, because drinkable taping water is scarcely available in most of the places.  Never let the stranger come into your room.  If someone is knocking at your door, never open the door until his identify is verified.  If your passport is not needed, never carry it along with you all the time in case of its loss.  Keeping it in the hotel, you are lodging proves much safer and wiser.  When hanging out in the particularly bustling places like market and buses and streets, take care of your belongings in case of theft, especially camera, purse, and so on.  Avoid traveling alone since you are not familiar with the places.  Ask the policemen or seniors for help in case you are lost and they would be of great help to help you.  Never go back to the hotel too late when you are wandering alone.  Always exchange money at the Bank or at the hotel counters.  Never exchange money in the black market in case of being swindled.  Get small changes prepared before getting out, which may be needed when buying something from the street vendors.
Do I Need Vaccines for Europe?
https://www.passporthealthusa.com/2016/04/which-vaccines-do-i-need-for-europe/
Travel to Europe is different from trips to places like Africa or South America. European countries are often more developed and have few infectious diseases. Most travelers will only need routine vaccinations, and these include:
MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) Vaccine– Over the last decade, measles outbreaks have become more common in Europe. Protect yourself with this simple immunization.
TDaP (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis) Vaccine– Due in part to immigration patterns, some diseases like diphtheria have resurfaced in Europe.
Flu Vaccine – Europe was hit especially hard by the flu this year. If you plan on traveling during a high flu time (September to April) be sure to have the vaccine before you go.
Please check with your family doctor to confirm.

Any travel products or services that are purchased from UTOvacation contains a contractual agreement between you/the traveler and UTOvacation and indicates that you have agreed to UTOvacation Terms and Conditions. Please ensure that you have read carefully the UTOvacation terms and conditions (which are available on www.utovacation.com) before making any payment.

【Reservation】

A Non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is required to secure a travel date.  Please note, full payment is required when booking special on-sale products (check the product page for full description)

For Online Reservations Procedures

Step 1  Visit UTOvacation website: www.utovacation.com

Step 2 Login or Register a new account.

Step 3 Select your desired departure date and departure city

Step 4 Make a deposit online, for exact deposit amount please refer to tour package online.

Step 5 Secure a valid VISA

Step 6 Make secondary deposit payment (if required) and/or final payment

(currency fluctuations may be applied)

Balance payment of any regular products or services is due 150 days prior to departure unless specified. If the full payment is not obtained by the due date, UTO vacation reserves the right to cancel such reservation and retain the pre-paid deposit to cover any expenses occurred.

* In addition, some products may require a second deposit before final payment. Please review carefully your product pages for your reference. 

-Visa 

The following documents from the passenger are required if visa is applied through UTO vacation Visa Center:

Original Passport (Make sure your actual passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the date of your expected departure time)

Recent passport size photo with white background. Check requirement click here  

Visa Application Form (Complete with signature and date)

*Remarks: If visa is applied by self, the supporting documents will be provided from UTO vacation if necessary

Step 7. Trip Confirmation.

A final trip confirmation by email including day by day itinerary, hotel information, and flight information will be sent to the main contact passenger one month before departure.

For Offline Reservation

Step 1. Make the reservations. A Non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is required to secure the space. We accept cash, cheque, money order, debit card, credit card, email transfer, TD transfer. A 4% surcharge is applied to American Express/Discover card. A full payment is required when booking if the package is a special on-sale product. 

Step 2. Complete the reservation. Call 1-855-526-1286 to request Booking Form. Fill out all the information on the Booking Form with authentic signature and date on the bottom of the second page. It is the passenger's responsibility to ensure documentation accuracy and travel documents validity. You will be liable for the full loss caused by incorrect information. By the time you full-fill the booking form, you have agreed to receive correspondence from UTO vacation which might include news flash, email blast or any other promotions in the future. Email/Fax your current and valid Passport Copy with the Booking Form together to info@utovacation.com/416-251-7778 

Step 3. Finalize the booking.

-Final Payment 

Balance payment of any regular products or services is due 150 days prior to departure unless specified. If the full payment is not obtained by the due date, UTO vacation reserves the right to cancel such reservation and retain the pre-paid deposit to cover any expenses occurred.

* In addition, some products may require a second deposit before final payment. Please review carefully your product pages for your reference. 

-Visa 

The following documents from the passenger are required if visa is applied through UTO vacation Visa Center:

Original Passport (Make sure your actual passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the date of your expected departure time)

Recent passport size photo with white background. Check requirement click here  

Visa Application Form (Complete with signature and date)

*Remarks: If visa is applied by self, the supporting documents will be provided from UTO vacation if necessary

Step 4. Trip Confirmation.

A final trip confirmation by email including day by day itinerary, hotel information, and flight information will be sent to the main contact passenger one month before departure.

【Cancellation policy】

UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel or modify any tour prior to departure date if the group has less than 10 passengers. An alternative departure date will be offered for no extra charge or a full refund will be issued

All cancellation or change requests must be confirmed in writing via email or fax including your reservation number, full name and date of travel.

Any cancellation of issued flight tickets prior to outbound departure (all the segments are unused) at the originally issued location shall incur a penalty of CAD/USD 350.00 per ticket. No refund will occur once travel has commenced.

Cancellation terms will be applied based on the date that the written cancellation is received and based on the following dates prior to departure.

Cancellation Fees, except where specified:

No. of days prior to Tour departure Cancellation fee as % of total tour fare: $ per person

• 150 days or above                   $300.00 as the penalty 

• 90-150 days                             $300+30% as the penalty 

• Within 30-90 days                    $300+50% of tour fare as penalty 

• Within 30 days                         100% of tour fare as penalty 

- No refund will be available on departure date and/or after the tour has commenced (Including denied and/or rejected by Immigration Department or Custom of destination).

- No refund or reimbursement will be available on any voluntarily giving up meals, tours and/or accommodations. A surcharge may apply should there be any additional fee occurs from any giving up decision from passengers. i.e. Since air ticket, transportation, accommodation, and meals have to be arranged in advance during high season (i.e.Holidays, Special Events, and other important activities and conventions), no departure date changed is allowed. No refund will be available on departure date changing and/or booking cancellation.

- Any other charges caused by the acts of God, natural disasters, fire, weather, governmental and local authory's order, political change, strikes, war, riots, quarantine, custom regulations, damages or inquiry caused by accident is beyond the responsibility of UTOvacation. Furthermore, should the traveler violate any local/provincial or national laws during their travels, UTOvacation is not responsible.

【No Show】

 If for any reason, a passenger does not attend the scheduled daily activities during the tour, an additional supplement fee of $100USD/$100CAD per day per person has to be paid. (Only applicable for China Tours)

【Special Remarks】

Although we would be happy to assist your shopping needs, UTO vacation would not be responsible for price, quality, and service of any goods purchased during the tour.

After the booking is confirmed, if the price increased following the imposition of a surcharge on fuel by the carrier or an increase in the exchange rate, insofar as the exchange rate applicable before the date on which the services are provided has increased by more than 5% since the date on which the contract was entered into; and/or if the increase, without taking into account any increase in the provincial sales tax or Canada's goods and services tax, raising taxes, royalties or reauthorized charges by a competent public authority, is equal to or greater than 7% of the price of services, you may choose between a full and immediate reimbursement of the services or the provision of similar services.

There could be possibilities that we might have to make alternations for your confirmed arrangements and we reserve the right to alter the order of touring and modify itineraries at any time to ensure the smooth running of your tour. Most alterations will be minor and of little effect on your overall arrangements. We will do our best to notify you of any such minor changes before your departure (Or as soon as possible if you have already departed), we will have no other liability to you.

【Special Request】

Seating/Cabin assignment: UTO vacation has no power to control the seating selection on the aircraft or cabin location on the cruise. All the spots are arranged by the airline/cruise line group department or randomly selected by the computer system. Therefore, UTO vacation cannot help the customers to change, reserve, pre-assign seats/cabins.

Preferred Seat Upgrade: UTO vacation will not be responsible for any preferred seat upgrade on aircraft (except for business or first class seats). 

【Reservation Changes】

Changes to an existing reservation, for whatever the cause, will incur $100USD/$100CAD per person charge plus any additional supplier fees. This includes name changes and removal of any services such as optional tours and transfers.

*Please note that name changes to airline reservations are subject to full cancellation or re-booking. See Airline Name Changes section for specific regulations.

Replacing a travelling passenger is subject to cancellation penalties, and is not covered by this Reservation Changes policy.

Changes or additional requests after departure are subject to local rates at the time of amendment and must be paid directly by the passenger to the service provider.

There are no refunds for unused services.

【Travel Insurance】

UTO vacation strongly recommends all tour members to purchase travel insurance at the time of booking.

【Baggage】

Each airline company has its own rules and regulations with the baggage weight, size, and number. The best way to find out the rules and regulations is to go visit the airline company official website and type in "Baggage Allowance" under the search bar.

【Tour Fare Includes】

- Transportation: International and domestic transportation fee (Bus, Train, Air tickets, and tax) are all included unless specified.

- Meals: Daily meals will be provided unless specified. Buffet breakfast is provided in hotel, lunch, and dinner in local style are provided in local restaurants licensed by the local Tourism Administration unless specified.

- Entrance fee of sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary, Coach, English Speaking Guide is included unless specified.

- Hotel Accommodation: Tour fare is based on two adults sharing one twin-bed room. Single supplement fee applies. UTO vacation reserves the right to substitute hotels of a similar or higher standard if the hotels listed in the itinerary are not available.

【Tour Fare Excludes】

- Visa Application Fee

-Any personal charges, such as phone bills, laundry, postage, and baggage over-weight charge, insurance, beverages, water, etc.

- Optional Tours.

- Compulsory tipping $185USD/$245CAD per person for the whole trip for guide, driver and restaurant waiters on tour are not included.

- Any Items not listed in the itinerary.

- Any other charges caused by the acts of God, natural disasters, fires, weather, governmental and local authority's order, political change, strikes, war, riots, quarantine, custom regulations, damages or inquiry caused by the accident beyond the responsibilities of travel agents and incurred due to the tourist action violating the law.

【Important Notice】

UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel any booking/accommodation/flight arrangement if the customer fails to pay the compulsory tipping for the entire trip prior to departure date or the 1st day of arrival to the destination. 

(Please note, the tip is an industry standard and is provided to the tour guides and bus drivers of the designated tours, to ensure our customers receive the best and high quality service during the trip.)

【Warm Tips】

The extra cost of schedule delay caused by Air Flight cancellation will be undertaken by guests themselves. The missed itineraries will not be re-arranged. During the tour, it will be considered as surrendering application automatically if you do not attend the pre-arranged tour or check in the prearranged hotel. All the extra cost will be undertaken by the client voluntarily. UTO vacation reserves the right to abandon any clients if such clients violate the law or damage the interest of tour groups. If clients apply for a visa through UTO vacation visa service center, once the visa is denied 90/150 days prior to departure date without any responsibilities on our end, we will return all pre-paid tour fare to clients except for the deposit and visa application fee.

If such case occurs within 90/150 days before departure date, we will return a portion or none of the pre-paid tour fare according to the cancellation penalty policy. If a child, 18 years old or younger, is travelling abroad with only one parent/guardian, children MUST carry a notarized consent letter signed by non-accompanying parent/guardian. If a child, 18 years old or younger is travelling alone, children must carry a notarized consent letter signed by both parents/guardian. Such a consent letter may be requested by immigration authorities when entering into or leaving from a foreign country or by Canadian officials when re-entering into Canada. Failure of presenting such document may result in the rejection of boarding aircraft or vessel for the children concerned. Any cruise line reserves the right to cancel, modify or substitute any scheduled port of calls at any time and for any reason whatsoever without prior notice due to the navigation authority and water conditions and UTO vacation shall not be liable for any loss to guests by reason of such cancellation or substitution.