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Rome
Arsenal
TOUR NEWSLETTER #1
Spring 2005
All of us at Challenger World Tours are excited that you will be
joining us this coming Spring and would like to make sure that between
now and your trip we prepare you as best we can. Therefore, we will
be sending out additional newsletters to you insuring that we keep
you up to date with all that needs to be done, as well as providing
additional information relating to your tour and the places you
might be visiting. Remember, the more organized we/you are the more
we/you will be able to fully enjoy the whole experience. Past travelers
who have had 'the best' times with us are the ones who have totally
entered into the 'spirit' of things and who have totally appreciated
that they are in a different country with a slightly different view
on life. Remember, you will be on a 'SOCCER TOUR' and not a vacation!
You will need to be flexible and be able to 'go with the flow' and
fully trust our Tour Staff. If you do have any major concerns about
traveling overseas and sampling different cultures, be sure to contact
our Challenger office for reassurances.
London is highlighted in this newsletter and we certainly hope that
you'll find the 'read' informative and interesting.
SOME IMPORTANT REMINDERS!
* Please complete all travel forms if you haven't already done so!
* Have you got a passport or applied for one yet? (We need a photocopy).
* Have you checked on your insurance coverage while abroad? (See
insurance notes below).
* We will be finalizing your official itinerary over the next couple
of weeks, updates will be posted regularly on this site. Please
note that even these final itineraries are subject to change and
as we mentioned above, you should approach the tour as a soccer
tour and not a vacation. Flexibility is the key to an awesome experience,
as things do not always go according to plan. However we can guarantee
that Challenger staff will do everything within their power to ensure
that you have the time of your lives.
TOUR INFORMATION
These Newsletters will contain various details regarding your tour.
In this issue I have put together some common questions that past
travellers have had in the past. I shall also be including some
background information on various areas that some of our groups
will be visiting this summer. Hopefully the information will be
of some interest to you!
1. What immigration documents will I require?
*Upon arrival in Britain, US citizens have to produce a valid passport,
a round trip ticket and spending money to gain legal entry. A visa
is not required, although non American citizens should contact a
British Consulate regarding their own country's entry requirements.
2. What are the Customs procedures?
*After collecting your baggage you will get the choice of entering
the main terminal through either the GREEN or RED customs exit.
If you have 'Nothing to Declare' over and above the customs allowance
then you should follow the green path. If you do have something
to declare then you should proceed through the red path. Remember
even when entering through the GREEN customs exit way, travellers
are subjected to random checks by Customs Officers.
3. Can I get tax relief from the gifts I buy whilst in Britain?
*Value Added Tax (VAT) is charged on most items bought in British
stores. Many of the stores do take part in the Retail Export Scheme
that allows overseas customers relief from VAT. Therefore ask for
the Forms at the stores.
4. Where can I get more information?
The Internet has numerous web sites on Britain that provide as much
information as you will ever need. We especially recommend www.travelbritain.org
TRAVEL INSURANCE:
You should have reved information from us recommending that you
take out some form of travel insurance.
Do I need any?
It is wise to take out some form of Travel Insurance, basically
for peace of mind. Check with your/our insurance carrier regarding
your coverage abroad as you need to have some form of medical coverage
before you leave the States, (either through your own medical policy
or as part of any travel insurance you take). Although British hospitals
will treat foreign patients in their emergency departments for non
serious injuries and illnesses, non-residents of the EEC (European
Economic Community) have to pay for any and all hospital overnight
admittance, which can be expensive.
If you do need or want travel insurance we have negotiated
a group rate with an insurance carrier and so you can enroll through
us for coverage with 'Travel Insured International' for extra medical
and travel insurance.
SPOTLIGHT: LONDON
It is said... if you want to visit the most exciting, historic,
vibrant, traditional and artistic city in the world - then visit
London. Pomp and pagentry, parks and greenery, shops and scenery,
London has them all. London brims with culture and is filled with
artistic triumphs. It is a bustling, changing and varied metropolis,
and one of the oldest and most exciting cities in the World.
Through its 2,000 years of living history, London's ancient city
has gathered symbols of its past and erected monuments to the present.
Buildings of hundreds of years old and stunning modern architecture
sit side by side. Pageantry and ceremony dating back over generations
mix with modern street culture. You can watch the Changing of the
Guard at Buckingham Palace, shop at the famous Harrods store or
go to the theater and see one of the great West End shows.
London, as well as boasting over a staggering 300 museums and galleries,
is crammed with fascinating attractions. Probably the most familiar
sight is Big Ben sitting above the Houses of Parliament. Nearby
Westminster Abbey houses tombs honoring some of the world's greatest
public figures. Like the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey dates
back some 900 years. From the grandeur of Trafalgar Square to the
splendour of Kensington Palace, whatever you fancy, London has it
all!
WEB SITES TO CHECK OUT:
http://www.travelbritain.org/index.htm
British Tourist Authority E-mail: travelinfo@bta.org.uk
Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information:
Challenger Sports Corporation
8022 Flint,
Lenexa, KS 66215
1-800-878-2167
913-599-4884
913-599-2928 (f)
abennett@challengersports.com
Start the ball rolling today:
If your team or organization would like to find out more about Challenger's
other exciting British Soccer Tour program and custom-designed travel
packages, contact Andy
Bennett. 800-739-9441
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