Answers2

Attitude
It is most important to bring an inquiring, flexible, cheerful attitude
with you. Things will be new and different. It won’t be like home.
That’s why you’re going.

Our tours are incredible, deluxe experiences that our travelers value
for the rest of their lives. You can have a memorable life-enhancing
tour too. Everything is done to assure your comfort and enjoyment.
Our guides and Dr. Anastacia will do all they can to answer your
questions and address any concerns. Come to learn and enjoy exciting new experiences.

However, as in any situation, there may be unforeseen events, schedule changes or delays.
We will be with others who may not do what we want, when we want them to and how we
think they should do them.

Your attitude is your choice and it affects others. Leave complaining at home. Courtesy,
kindness and good humor will go far toward making the trip pleasant for you and the others.

We must be patient and tolerant with each other and our circumstances. We are all in this
adventure together and all will work out for the best if we become a caring, supportive
community for each other. You may even make new friends.

Airline Tickets, Visas and Travel Insurance
Your place on the plane will be reserved. Our tour company will purchase your reservation for
you and obtain your visa and travel insurance. When these documents are ready, the tour
company will send them, along with other information and materials, directly to your address.
If you wish to receive the tour materials at your work or an address different from your home,
you must inform Dr. Anastacia Samson at least 60 days in advance.

Baggage
On domestic flights in China, you may bring one checked bag per person free of charge.
Maximum weight of the bag should not exceed 44 lbs and the total dimensions (length, width
and height) of the bag should not exceed 62 inches. You may also have one carry-on bag with
total dimensions not exceeding 45 inches.

On the return trip back to the US, you may bring two checked bags per person free of charge.
Maximum weight per each bag should not exceed 70 lbs and the total dimension (length, width
and height) of the two bags should not exceed 107 inches. However, if you are flying in the US,
check with your airline on weight limits. The weight limit may be lower. You may also have one
carry-on bag of total dimensions not exceeding 45 inches.

You measure the bag by laying it flat. Measure the top from front to back and note your
measurement. Now measure the top from side to side and note that measurement. Next,
you measure the side of your suitcase from the top to the bottom and note that figure. Now
add these three figure together and you have the total number of inches.

One way to handle the difference in the number of bags allowed going over and returning is
to nest a smaller suitcase inside a larger one for the outgoing trip. Pack everything you take
over in the smaller one. Then you can add purchases in the remaining space as you go.
When we finish our last domestic flight in China, you can take the smaller one out and use
the larger and the smaller one for your purchases from there on. Flights from Shanghai to
Beijing and NYC are considered international flights.

Pack your suitcase lightly. You will need one or at the most two pair of good walking shoes.
Bring 4-5 sets of casual clothes that you can mix and match. You can rinse out clothing
overnight in the hotels if need be. Although we will be in first class places, there are no
formal clothes required.

Cameras
Bring a camera,plenty of film and batteries. Our tour photographer may take pictures, videos
and DVD’s of you and the group at significant sites only in the Beijing area that you can
purchase. You will want to take your own pictures as well.

Cash
Each passenger should bring $100 in one dollar bills. You will need those for tips and for
purchases from vendors on the street. Any other cash should also be in small bills--$1s, 5s,
10s or 20s. It may be difficult to cash big bills -- those above $20 in China. All bills should be
untorn and in good condition or vendors will not accept them.

The acceptable tips are $1 each day for the maid, which you leave in your room each day, as
you may have a different maid each day. You tip the porters $1 per bag each time they carry it
to or from the bus, the driver $1 each day and the guide $2 each day. In some cities we may
have 2 guides simultaneously, a local and a regional guide. As we have the same driver and
guide on our tour in each city or region, I will collect the total tip separately for the driver and
guide before we leave them and give the total amount to them on our behalf. When the driver
and guides have gone out of their way to accommodate you, a larger tip is appreciated.

There are no tips given at restaurants where we eat our three scheduled meals each day.
However, if you choose to have a snack, coffee, beverages and deserts at the hotels at other
times, you will tip for that. The customary tip then would be 15%.

Currency
The US dollar can be exchanged for Chinese currency at airports or hotels (Currently about
7.5 Chinese yuan per US$1.00). ATM machines are available in China and major credit cards
of Mastercard, Visa, and American Express (but not Discover) are accepted at many stores.
The credit card company will figure the exchange rate for your bill. (You should call before
your trip to see if your credit card adds a fee or surcharge for the currency exchange).

The hotels are very helpful in changing American into Chinese currency. You can use US $s
for tips and vendors. Most accept and like the US $. However, with vendors you may get a
better deal if you use Chinese currency. You may be required to use Chinese Yuan (also
called RMB) if you were to use a taxi or in smaller shops.

Customs, US
Each person may bring back $800 of purchases without paying a customs tax. Purchases
shipped from China are not counted in this limit.

Hotels
The hotels are five-star or the best available superior first class hotel accommodations with full
American breakfast buffet in each city. The hotels provide a thick bathrobe for your comfort
during your stay, with slippers and toiletries for your consumption. They also have safes (in
most cases) and hair dryers in the rooms. You may request an iron and ironing board.

Meals
Breakfasts are American buffet style with every imaginable food. There is also a
selection of Chinese items. Lunches and dinners are mainly Chinese cuisine (with
occasional American buffet or French Fry diplomacy for those missing American
food). Most meals are served family style at round tables with a lazy Susan in the
middle. You will be brought about 16 to 18 platters of Chinese food. The meats
served are poultry, beef, pork and fish or other seafood. You will have beverages
with each meal. Please inform Dr. Anastacia of any food allergies or sensitivities.

You may wish to bring along snack items to eat between meals, especially is you have
specific dietary need or if we have a longer than anticipated time between meals.

Rest rooms
Our hotels and most rest rooms are American style and supplied with soap and paper
products. You can encounter Asian style commodes and less than optimal supply of soap and
paper products. Bring along a small bottle of hand sanitizing lotion and some small packs of
tissues to use when a bathroom does not have these.

Shopping
When you are in a Chinese shop, you will have Chinese attendants around you, because the
Chinese believe that it is not polite if you do not have someone hanging around with you to be
ready at your service.

Bargaining is a way of life in China. In most cases, you never pay the asking price, especially
with street vendors and in the open air markets. You can usually get items for about a half the
asking price.

We’ll also go to government stores that provide guaranteed authentic and highest quality
products of jade, natural pearls, and silk, etc. There is not much bargaining there.

Tips--Very Important Please Be Sure to Have Proper Change
The acceptable tips are $1 each day for the maid, which you leave in your room each day, as
you may have a different maid each day. You tip the porters $1 per bag each time they carry it
to or from the bus, the driver $1 each day and the guide $2 each day. In some cities we may
have 2 guides simultaneously, a local and a regional guide. As we have the same driver and
guide on our tour in each city or region, I will collect the total tip separately for the driver and
guide before we leave them and give the total amount to them on our behalf.

When the driver and guides have gone out of their way to accommodate you, a larger tip is
appreciated.

Travel Insurance
China does not accept any insurance from other parts of the world. Therefore travel insurance
is vital. It provides medical liability, travel delays, lost luggage, etc. You will receive a copy of
the policy from the tour company in the packet you receive before your departure.

Water
The Chinese water in the cities is pure, but may contain some unique components found in
China that may cause you digestive problems. There will be cases of free spring water in
bottles on the bus for you to use as you need them. Two bottles of water will be found in each
hotel room. If you require more, you may call the front desk and they will deliver it to your
room. You can use tap water to brush your teeth, shave, wash your hands and take baths.

Weather
China is a big country, about the same size as the USA. The weather varies according to
region with Beijing similar to Southern New England, NYC and the Northern Atlantic states.
Hangzhou, Suzhou and Shanghai are warmer and more humid like the American South. The
Xian region is in between. Spring and Fall have the most pleasant weather.

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