Will
I need a passport?
Yes. You will need a valid passport issued by your government. If you
do not currently hold one, begin the process of applying for one now.
Is you do have a passport, check the expiration date. This date is important
because most countries will prohibit you from entering if your passport
is not valid for at least six months beyond the date you complete this
trip.
To obtain a passport you must complete an official passport application
form and submit the form to one of the appropriate passport acceptance
facilities within your country. Sometimes it can take time to obtain a
new passport so don’t put off applying for it as soon as you know
you want to travel.
Will I need a visa?
The restrictions regarding visas differ by country:
Cambodia: Yes, a visa is required. The visa will be purchased at the
airport in Phnom Penh when we arrive. The cost of the visa is included
in the cost of the trip.
China: Yes, a visa is required. You are responsible for purchasing your
own Chinese visa. This visa must be requested and purchased prior to
your departure from your home country. We will send you the applicable
forms and instructions once you have registered for a trip and your trip
deposit has been received.
Thailand: Residents of most countries do not need a visa to enter Thailand.
Please check with the nearest Thai Embassy or Consulate to determine
if you do or do not.
What
is the best time of year to take such a trip?
All of our scheduled tours are offered to take advantage of good weather, cultural
events and/or activities. With a few exceptions, travel to most destinations
can occur throughout the year.
Remember that those countries in the Southern Hemisphere have reversed
seasons from the Northern Hemisphere. Rates are less expensive in the
off-seasons due
to the weather. Don’t forget that trips in the off-season and winter months
have their own special charm and magic. And, tourists are fewer. If you are willing
to deal with less than perfect weather conditions, consider taking a trip in
the low season.
Do I need shots/vaccinations to go to one
of the Asian countries to which you travel?
No shots or immunizations are required but follow the recommendations
of your doctor. For additional information , visit the website of the
Center for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov.
Do
you recommend travel insurance?
Yes, travel insurance is recommended. It can cover trip cancellation/trip interruption,
medical protection, baggage protection, travel accident protection, and emergency
assistance. Ask your insurance agent if your current policy covers you for personal
injury and loss of baggage outside your home country. Remember, Medicare is NOT
valid outside the United States.
NOTE: Travel
insurance policies normally require payment at the time you pay your trip
deposit.
Some providers we can suggest are:
Sue Doyle of Mill
Avenue Travel can also assist you. Sue can be reached at
1-800-815-6455.
How
do I dress for such a trip?
Cambodia/Thailand: The weather at almost any time of the year in both
of these countries is warm and humid, therefore daytime dress should be
comfortable and lightweight. Layering is perfect as hotels will be air
conditioned and you may need that extra bit of clothing to keep off the
chill. Even though both countries have very casual societies, shorts are
not appropriate. Some temples and sites will not permit visitors in sleeveless
tops or open-toed shoes, so make sure you bring something that you can
slip over your sleeveless top in order to meet any restrictions. All of
the sites and places we will visit are meant to be explored, so pants
for women, often times, are more appropriate and more comfortable than
skirts or dresses.
In the evening, many change into smarter and dressier clothing.
Comfortable walking shoes are a must. Hiking boots are unnecessary and
inappropriate. Some temples do not allow shoes to be worn inside, so slip-ons
or easy-to-remove shoes are very practical.
Remember; expect to be charged for excess baggage by both domestic and
international airlines. Pack wisely. We will provide you with a suggested
packing list once you have signed up for the trip.
China: China is a huge country and therefore experiences a wide range
of weather. To put it in perspective, China sits within the same latitudes
as the
James Bay in Canada to Cuba. That said, China has four distinct seasons:
Spring is wet and cool, summer is hot and humid, fall is moderate and
crisp, and winter is cold. The humidity in Southern China is very high
and very oppressive. Summer rains help but not much.
Layering is the key when traveling anywhere, including China. Some buildings
will be heated (although most museums will not be heated as warmly as
you might like) or air-conditioned, depending on the season.
Daywear is casual. Shorts are not worn by adults of either sex so best
to leave those at home. Some temples and sites will not permit sleeveless
tops so make sure you have something that can be used to cover your arms.
All the sites we visit are meant to be explored so pants may be more appropriate
and more comfortable than skirts or dresses for women.
In the evening, many change into smarter and dressier clothing.
Comfortable walking shoes are a must. Hiking boots are unnecessary and
inappropriate. Some temples do not allow shoes to be worn inside, so slip-ons
or easy-to-remove shoes are very practical.
Remember; expect to be charged for excess baggage by both domestic and
international airlines. Pack wisely. We will provide you with a suggested
packing list once you have signed up for the trip.
Since
international airfare is not included in the price of the trip, how
would you recommend getting to the starting point of the trip?
Each of you is responsible for getting yourself to the starting point
of the trip. You can contact your travel agent, use the Internet,
or call
the airlines to purchase your ticket. Many prefer to use frequent flier
miles. If you’re not sure how to start, talk to us as we have many
sources and contacts in the travel industry who can assist you. If you
don’t have a travel agent and want to work with one, we suggest
contacting Sue Doyle, president of Mill Avenue Travel, for any and all
assistance in planning and booking your airline travel. Sue can also
assist
you in making additional travel plans outside of the trip itself. Sue
can be reached at 1-800-815-6455 (Mountain Standard Time) or via email
at sue@millavetravel.com
Are
these trips appropriate for children?
Though neither of our two scheduled trips to Asia has been designed
for children, any child over the age of 10 years would probably find
either of the trips interesting. We have developed fun, educational materials
that will help make the trip more enjoyable for them. All of the accommodations
can handle children of all ages. We welcome families with children.
How are the accommodations?
All of the hotels are the best possible for the location to provide you
with the utmost comfort and safety. All have the requisite amenities you
expect from a fine hotel. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms and all have
friendly, well-trained, customer-oriented, English-speaking staff.
Is it safe to drink the tap water?
We do not recommend drinking the water from the tap at any hotel. Each hotel
provides one small bottle of water per person per day free of charge. You
can purchase additional bottled water at the hotel or at local convenience
stores.
What if I have a food allergy?
It is important for us to know if you have any allergies to foods. If you
do, we will have a note in the local language which we will give to your
waiter which states that you have an allergy and to what. We have done this
in the past and had no problems.
What if I get hungry between meals?
It’s not likely but if you do, there are any number of options. Most
hotels have a number of restaurant choices and also have room service. There
are also convenience stores where you can purchase sweets and soft drinks
as well as shops selling world-recognized brands (i.e. Starbucks, Haagan
Das, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s) where you can grab a quick bite to eat.
You can also opt to bring granola bars or your favorite candy from home.
Will all meals be Asian?
No. We know that not everyone likes Asian food as much as we do so we include
Western food in the itinerary. If you find that you must eat Western food
each day, all of our hotels can accommodate your request. Breakfasts will
be Western each and every day.
When should I make my reservation?
Due to the limited number of people per tour,
it’s always a good idea
to act sooner rather than later. Once you’ve made the decision to go,
you can also begin making airline travel plans which should cost you less
by purchasing them so far ahead of the departure date.
How do I reserve space?
To reserve space you will need to complete and return a Traveler Information
and Preference Form along with a $500 per person, non-refundable deposit.
The form can be downloaded or can be requested either by phone or email.
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