Passports & Visas: Please ensure your travel documents are up to date. U.S. citizens are required to carry a valid passport book when traveling outside the United States. Passports and visas are the responsibility of each client. Depending on the country, your passport must be valid for three to six months after your return date. To avoid issues, Brekke Tours recommends compliance with the six month validity period. If your passport is not valid, you may not be allowed to board your international flight. Passengers should check with the appropriate foreign consulate for entry and validity requirements. A visa is not required for Scandinavia or Western Europe for stays of less than 3 months.
For further information visit the following websites: www.travel.state.gov or www.usps.com/passport
Credit Cards & Exchanging Money: Please note that Scandinavia is moving towards a cash-free society and that some venues and hotels will no longer will accept cash. We recommend using a credit card while in Scandinavia as major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, and sometimes American Express) are honored at hotels, stores, and restaurants, and also accepted in taxis. Most credit card companies charge a foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad, thus please check directly with your credit card company for details before departing. Please contact your credit card company or bank before you depart to notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be “suspicious” charges.
The easiest place to exchange your money is at your arrival airport. Your tour director will assist you with locating an exchange desk or ATM upon your arrival in Scandinavia.
For specific locations of ATM machines, please visit:
Cirrus ATM network: www.mastercard.com
Plus ATM network: www.visa.com
Note: ATM’s in Scandinavia have an English text option. Be aware that ATM’s in Europe only accept 4-digit numerical PINs.
Power adapter and converters: An adapter (which changes the physical plug) and/or converter (which changes the electric current) are necessary if you plan to use an appliance (curling iron, flat iron, rollers, etc.) in Scandinavia. Please note, if your appliance has dual voltage you may still need an adapter for the plug. When packing your electronic items for travel, please review the converter electric current level to make sure it is the same or greater than the items you are planning on using. If you plan on utilizing or transporting a sleep apnea machine, please remember to pack an extension cord & adapter plug to ensure proper function. Most hotels in Scandinavia will have an iron and hair dryer available.
Airport Transfers: Escorted Tour Participants Arriving on Group Flights: Airport transfers in Scandinavia are included for passengers arriving/departing on designated flights of Brekke’s escorted tours. After deplaning and collecting your luggage, you will proceed through Passport Control (a valid passport is the only document necessary for travel to Scandinavia). You will see two exits: green if you have nothing to declare and red if you have something to declare. Choose the appropriate exit. After leaving the Customs area, continue to the Arrival Hall where you will meet your tour director.
Airport Transfers: Land Only Escorted Tour Participants / Other Flight Arrangements: If you have purchased a land only package or if the arrival/departure time of your flight does not coincide with the group transfers, you are responsible for your own transfer to/from the hotel. Independent arrival transfers can be purchased locally. Depending on your arrival airport, you may choose from the airport bus, train or taxi. Please note a taxi may also be needed from the train/bus station to the hotel. You will meet your tour director at the welcome dinner on the night of arrival. If you would like to transfer with the group to the airport for your departure, please inform your tour director.
For Independent Travelers: To transfer from the airport to your hotel, you can choose from several modes of transportation. Airport buses with frequent departures run from the airport to city center and vice versa in each of the Scandinavian capitals. Trains and taxis may also be available from the airport to the city center. It may then be necessary to take a taxi from the central station to the hotel.
Travel Vouchers: If you are traveling independently or have booked an independent pre- or post-tour option, please ensure that you have received your voucher or confirmation before departing the US. A voucher indicates that you have pre-paid for the activity/hotel/services booked; therefore you will not need additional funds to cover these items. To use a hotel voucher, simply present the voucher at the check-in desk of the hotel. To use a train voucher, you will need to present the voucher at the ticketing window in exchange for tickets. For tour/bus vouchers, present the voucher to the driver/guide before departure. Any special instructions are listed on vouchers—please read carefully and check information on voucher for accuracy. Please re-confirm the time of departure locally in the event of schedule changes.
Wi-fi / Internet in Scandinavia: Wireless Internet is widely available at hotels but there may be a fee for use. Most hotels will also have a lobby computer for guest use.
Using a cell phone in Scandinavia: To communicate with your family, friends, and if needed your Tour Director, we recommend that you and your family/friends download “Whats App” which utilizes Wi-Fi to route your calls/text messages through the Internet instead of your cellular connection.
What to Pack
Clothing: Medium-weight clothes are recommended as a base. A raincoat with removable lining is a good choice for summer visitors. A coat is necessary in fall, winter and spring. Casual clothes are appropriate for sightseeing and touring, as well as dining in the hotels. Some tour participants choose to bring dress slacks / skirts for dinner, but this is optional. We highly recommend comfortable walking shoes for sightseeing along cobblestoned streets and for touring, especially in the mountains of Norway.
Gifts: Gifts for your family and friends in Scandinavia are not expected, but always appreciated, especially if they are extending their hospitality to you in some manner. Ideas for gifts include:
- American flag or wind sock
- Books, cap, t-shirts or other items unique to your city/state
- College or professional team sport clothing/caps
- Native American or country western themed items
- Liquor/liquors
- For children: Disney clothing, candy or cartoon characters
Miscellaneous Items: You may want to add the following items to your travel check-list:
- Snacks, mints/gum and water bottle
- Collapsible umbrella or poncho
- Travel alarm clock / Calculator
- Band-aids / First-aid kit / Tissues
- Sewing kit / safety pins
- Washcloth (not usually provided at hotels)
- Medications (motion sickness, aspirin, cold medicine)
- Converter / adapter
- Plastic baggies (freezer size) for wet items
- Extra eyeglasses & repair kit, contact lenses, prescriptions
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Maps and travel information
- Journal to record your favorite memories
- Spot remover (Tide stick, Shout wipes, etc)
- Small daypack for sweaters, camera, snacks and water
Flight and Luggage Information
Flight Itinerary: Carefully inspect your flight itinerary when you receive it to ensure correct travel dates and the correct spelling of your full name (first, middle and last) as listed on your passport. These documents may be subject to considerable penalties for changes and/or cancellation. Remember, a valid passport is required for foreign travel. Some countries require that a U.S. passport be valid for three to six months after your entry or return from their country (we recommend your passport be valid for at least 6 months past your return date). Passengers should check with the appropriate foreign consulate for entry and validity requirements. Passports and visas are the responsibility of each client.
Airline Seating: Seat assignment requests are based on the best available at the time of your reservation. Airlines have the right to change seat assignments at their discretion. Not all itineraries are available for advanced seat assignment, and may be reserved for airport check-in only.
Please note that groups seats are assigned at the discretion of the airline. Brekke Tours cannot guarantee specific seating requests. Seat numbers may not be advised until check-in at the airport or departure gate.
Luggage: Most airlines do allow 1 free piece of checked luggage on international flights. If you have any domestic tickets booked in conjunction with your international flight, the airlines may charge a baggage fee. Typically your checked luggage can weigh up to 50 pounds and the dimensions cannot exceed 62 inches. A standard large roller bag is what we recommend using on your trip. For your carry-on, typically the weight cannot exceed 22 pounds and the dimensions should not go over 45 inches (l+w+h). Because luggage fees and restrictions vary from airline to airline, please contact your airline directly for more information.
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is recommended to help protect you and your trip investment against the unexpected. In today’s changing travel environment, it’s important to protect your travel investment so you can relax and enjoy your trip. Unforeseen events such as flight delays, baggage loss or even a sudden sickness or injury could impact your travel plans. For your convenience, we offer a travel protection plan through Travelex Insurance Services. For more information and rates, please review the product flyer below:
This is intended as a general description of certain types of insurance and services available to qualified customers through the companies of Zurich in North America, provided solely for informational purposes. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance Policy. To view/download the policy, go to: https://policy.travelexinsurance.com/GCPZ-1023. Travelex Insurance Services Inc. CA Agency license #0D10209. Insurance coverages underwritten by individual member companies of Zurich in North America, including Zurich American Insurance Company (NAIC # 16535).
Note: Most American medical insurances, including Medicare, will not provide coverage for hospital or medical expenses outside of the United States. Travel insurance can be used to help offset the costs of medical emergencies while traveling outside the US.
Travel Resources