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How do I plan a successful international trip and avoid the 101 gremlins ready to ambush it? |
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First, outline your requirements. What are your interests? Do you prefer history and culture? Do you wish to relax on a warm beach? Is this a family vacation with children traveling? Once your interests are determined, then next you must decide on your dates of travel. Are your dates flexible or firm? What is the total number of passengers traveling in your party? What type of accommodations are you looking for: deluxe, moderate or economy? Please determine your financial parameters, so that we may provide an itinerary to suit your interests and also accommodate your budget.
For example, with a request similar to the following, Unlimited Borders can accurately provide an initial proposal for your review:
"Our party of four - men in their mid-fifties - is interested in a week's fishing for peacock bass. We are flexible thus we would appreciate your suggestions as to the best time. Two members of our party are good fly fishermen, the other two prefers spinning gear. Our wifes are coming one week later and we intend to spend some days in Rio and than relax another week in an Eco Resort. Two ladies are especially interested in Flora and Fauna. We like comfortable but posh accommodations..."
But a letter that states: "Send me your brochure and all details. We're interested in peacock bass" will require clarification before an appropriate proposal may be prepared.
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Is it better to book a hotel directly or through a travel agent? |
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Unless you are familiar with your destination(s), a reputable travel agency is your best bet. If the agent is a good one, they generally would have the pulse of many destinations; they do the legwork; you benefit from their experience. Also, with an agent, you have a direct contact to assist you with any last minute changes, or situations that can occur in travel. Once you return home, your agent will assist you with following up with local providers regarding any required resolution.
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If I am asked for Deposits and Balances, do I get my money back if I cancel? |
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You've selected your itinerary and you are satisfied that this is the "perfect" trip. Upon confirmation, you will be asked for a deposit.
A deposit is the hotel's guarantee that a reservation is being held for you. It is also your guarantee that you will "show up" for that specific period. Many things can happen of course, so most providers have a grace period. Depending on the hotel, your deposit may be refundable if you provide a cancellation notice well advanced of your booking (usually 45 days or more). Sometimes a cancellation fee is charged (usually within 45 days); reservations during events, Carnival or New Year's for example, are non-refundable.
What happens if the cancellation is less than prescribed time (usually less then 45 days prior to travel)? You will forfeit the deposit plus any penalties imposed by the hotels. It is in Unlimited Border's best interests to see you satisfied and we will do everything to credit you for another period, usually during that same calendar year.
Note - many eco-lodges are non-refundable if reservations are canceled within a certain number of days prior to the reservation.
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Do I need a Trip Insurance? |
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We highly recommend travel insurance. Sometimes baggage is lost, emergencies or health problems occur that may require cancellation and subsequently loss of deposits and balances. We will be happy to recomment a third-party travel insurance company to assist you with this important coverage.
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What can I do to ensure a smooth departure? |
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The night before you are to depart, check your list again. Make sure that you have your tickets, valid passport and visa handy.
You should arrive at the airport well ahead of your schedule flight time. It's so important we're going to repeat it. You should arrive at the airport well ahead of schedule flight time. Different carriers have different baggage allowances.
Upon arrival at the destination airport, you will go through customs. It's our experience that 99% of the customs officials are courteous and understanding.
If you wish, we can have a Guide at your destination(s) to meet you at the airport and transfer your to your hotel. This guide will provide an excellent introduction to the city. He will provide you with valuable information, answer any questions and can assist you with tours and locating shops, museums, etc that you may wish to visit. Your guide will also reconfirm your departure flight prior to transferring you to the airport, possibly saving you much time and aggravation.
Tip: Include a copy of your itinerary (with phone numbers) with your baggage tag, especially if you are visiting multiple destinations. If your luggage is lost, airline personnel may be able to forward your luggage to you at the appropriate destination. [ Back to Top ] |
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Tipping |
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Guides are generally tipped the equivalent of US $5 per person, per day that you are with this guide. Tipping in restaurants is normally 10%. Usually this is included in the bill under service charge. Taxi drivers are not normally tipped, although it is common to round the fare up a bit.
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Can I enjoy a drink with ice without becoming ill? |
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In the larger cities, drinking water and ice cubes should be just fine. In smaller, more remote towns, savannahs or jungle locations we recommend you stick with the bottled water, juices and sodas. The larger, reputable hotels will provide clean ice, but you may wish to avoid ice cubes and more remote, smaller accommodations.
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What to take |
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Sunblock, rain - gear, a simple wristwatch, insect repellent (if you leave the large cities), medicine, film and photographic equipment (to take on your tours, but secure in your hotel room while walking around the city or relaxing on the beach).
Clothing
The mistake some travelers make when going to a tropical climate is that they assume that because it is warm, one should take shorts and short sleeves. The tropical sun can be very intense. Even on cloudy days the ultraviolet rays can produce a burn. Take lightweight, long trousers and lightweight shirts!
Short sleeve shirts and Bermudas can be worn during day. At night you don't have to dress up. But long trousers and a good cotton shirt make you look smart for almost any occasion. Remember that many restaurants in Brazil do make best use of their Air Condition. A light jacket can be handy. Most hotels offer some laundry service, but of course, you should check in advance.
Eye Glasses
By all means use polarizing sunglasses. There are many Polaroid sunglasses on the market today ranging from $12 to over $200. Even if you wear prescription glasses, you can obtain prescription Polaroid's from $75 to $200. If you don't want to invest in good glasses, you can get by with clip-on that fit over your regular eyeglasses for about $10.
Sun Tan Lotion
You're inviting trouble if you head for the tropics without a good sun tan lotion. A couple of things to remember: Apply in the morning before going on the excursion, and then additional thin coats periodically. If you go in the water, be sure to apply another coat. Even if the weather is cloudy, be sure to apply it. Use a factor 30 or higher if you are out the whole day.
Should you go to an Eco Lodge with excursions all day long you need Sunscreen.
Wristwatches
If you normally wear an expensive wristwatch, by all means leave it at home and procure an inexpensive watch. Several reasons: Insect and sun screen lotions ruin crystal. Furthermore, valuable watches attract thieves. Leave valuable jewelry at home!
Insect repellents
Even if the lodge brochure claims that insects are nonexistent in the area, take along insect repellent.
Medicine
If you take medication, take a copy of your prescription with you as well as the medicine. Don't put your medicine in checked luggage (which could be lost). If the medicine is extremely important, try to obtain two bottles. Put one in the carry-on bag and the other elsewhere.
Liquor & Cigarettes
It's best to obtain these items at the duty-free shops located at international airports prior to your departure, or when arriving in Brazil. You may purchase items up to US $500 when entering the country. It's less expensive and shop will package it in small cartons. Important. When leaving Brazil again, you may stop at these duty-free shops, but you won't be able to spend any Reals (Brazilian currency), so use your Reals before checking through security on the way to your gate. Reals are not accepted in the international departure areas of the airport.
Film and Photographic Items
If you are taking a lot of film and plan on putting it in your duffle, purchase a Film Shield pouch, available at most photo supply stores. The Film Shield pouch provides protection against X-ray inspections at airports. Some photographers claim that X-ray can fog film on a cumulative basis. If you want to avoid such speculation, develop the pictures within one hour. This service is offered in all cities and is very inexpensive compared to European Countries.
The surest, safest way to transport cameras is via a carry-on camera case. Remember to take along extra camera batteries!
Important:
If you are taking expensive, new cameras and accessories with you out of the country, make a list of all major items including serial numbers of camera bodies, lenses, motor drive units, etc…At U.S. international airports (before you depart for a trip) a customs official will stamp your list. Reason: You have definite proof that you purchased the equipment in the United States, and therefore not subject to any duties for foreign purchase. A purchase slip from U.S. photo store will also suffice. Another method would be to notarize the list of serial numbers before you leave for your trip. Most of the time customs officials don't check incoming passengers thoroughly but occasionally they do. Keep this list for future trips (attach it to your passport).
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Cash & Plastic |
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There is one tremendous advantage with prepayment of services: you don't have to carry a lot of cash with you. But you will need some money for meals en route, personal purchases, tips, emergency, etc. Most hotels and many restaurants accept credit cards (some however only accept bank credit cards like MasterCard and Visa). We suggest that you take mostly U.S. currency. Sometimes one can obtain a better rate of exchange by dealing "in the streets", but do avoid the black market with the guy on the beach. You may make a little more money but you could invite major problems. Your guide can best assist you with converting currency.
Suggestion:
Take a number of small dollar bills with you (between $20 - $30). You'll need them for tips at the airport, hotel porters, etc. Very handy. In foreign countries, U.S.
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Should I buy sightseeing tours in advance or upon arrival in Brazil? |
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If you absolutely sure you want a specific tour, then by all means go ahead and purchase in advance. It will not cost you any more to do so. However, if you are in doubt, there is usually no problem in waiting until arrival in a city to book. Some tours require a minimum of 2 or 4 passengers to operate, and you may find that these minimums can only be assembled on the spot, combining you with other travelers. Plus, our local guides are happy to orient you upon arrival in each city and discuss the tours and other options (not to mention restaurant, club and show recommendations).
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| Rules and
Restrictions |
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RESERVATION AND PAYMENT POLICY
- A deposit of $150 per person required to guarantee land reservations, rates, room types, etc.
- Deposit may vary for holidays (New Year's and Carnival).
- Full airfare is required at time of booking to secure airfares (see Flight Reservations below).
RESERVATION CHANGES
Reservation changes PRIOR TO ARRIVAL:
All reservation changes will result in $25 processing service fee (i.e.: change of dates, change of room types, change of hotels, change of number of guests, etc.) Changes due to the result of no availability from hotel will be done at no charge to client.
Reservation changes AFTER ARRIVAL:
Guests wishing to checkout prior to their scheduled departure will receive refund from Unlimited Borders less a $25 per person cancellation fee and less and penalties charged by the hotel. Lodge programs are non-refundable. Refund will be processed within 60 days of Clients return from Brazil.
LAST MINUTE BOOKING FEE
All last minute reservation (7 days prior to departure) will result in $35 dollar processing service fee.
FLIGHT RESERVATIONS
Airlines reserve the right to amend or withdraw fares without prior notice. Once a deposit is paid on an airfare, it guarantees that a booking is being held for you, it DOES NOT GUARANTEE the fare. The fare can only be guaranteed when the flight booking has been paid for in full and a ticket has been issued. Flight bookings cannot be transferred.
The flight times provided by Unlimited Borders are subject to change. Up-to-date flight times will be shown on the tickets. The Client must check the tickets very carefully immediately upon receipt of the latest timings. Unlimited Borders will inform the Client as soon as possible in the event of any flight alteration.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Clients are wholly responsible for arranging their own travel insurance.
CANCELLATION POLICY
- Land Tours/Accommodation:
In event of cancellation of your land portion, we require notification immediately in WRITING via email or fax. Please note we will ONLY accept cancellation requests received in WRITING. Date of cancellation is the date we receive the written request.
If you cancel 45 days or more before departure, each passenger forfeits $150.
If you cancel 44 days or less before deaprture, each passenger forfeits $150 plus any penalties imposed by the suppliers we use (this is usually, but not always, full penalty on lodge programs and one or two nights at hotels).
Cancellations during holiday seasons are NON-REFUNDABLE. (Holiday seasons are defined as: December 20- January 20, Carnival, Easter and other country specific holidays).
- Flights:
The cancellation charges mentioned above do not cover flights. Cancellation charges on flights vary based on specific airline policies and may reach 100% non-refundable based on the terms and conditions set by the airline at the time of ticketing. Refunds for cancelled flights are done directly by the airline to the clients credit card used during purchase. Unlimited Borders will request the cancellation and refund with the airline on behalf of the client once the client requests cancellation of the flights in writing. |
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