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| Frequently Asked Questions | |||
~ etickets or paper, seating on the plane, luggage, frequent flyer miles, check in times, |
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length of flight, meals, what to eat and drink |
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~ what if I forget something, laundry facilities |
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~ how much will I need, credit or debit, where to keep it, changing money |
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~ how do I register? |
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~ outlets and voltage in Europe |
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~ internet, pre-paid phone cards, cell phones, contact info |
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~ weather, transportation, registration materials, WYD schedule |
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~ WYD medical insurance, additional insurance, prescription medications |
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| Your Flight to Europe (back to top) | |||
1. Will we have etickets or paper tickets and when will we get them? Your tickets may be either paper or e-tickets. Your group leader will receive them when all of the following is true: 1. We have received them from the airlines. Your group leader will then distribute the documents to individual pilgrims at the appropriate time. |
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2. Can we choose our seats on the plane? Seats on the overseas plane are in group blocks. You can request specific allocations within that block at the time of check-in with the airline. You can also choose to rearrange yourselves within your groups seats. We suggest that group leaders limit specific requests to chaperones alone and only at the airport.. |
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3. Will I get frequest flyer miles? Yes, if you give your frequent flyer number at check-in. |
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4. What are the luggage restrictions? Luggage restrictions vary from airline to airline and most have been altered recently. Please click on your airline on the left column for specifics. Youth in Europe strongly recommends limiting your luggage to one moderately sized checked bag and one small carry on, or even better, only one carry on. |
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5. How long is the flight? Flights from NYC or WDC are approximately 7 hours. |
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6. How do I request a special meal and will I be fed? Special meal requests should be made directly to the airline 3 weeks prior to departure. All oversees flights provide meals. |
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| Packing (back to top) | |||
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1. What if I forget something or leave it behind and need it? Europe is on another continent, but you still can buy everything there that you can buy here including toiletries and clothing. 2. Will there be laundry facilities? Seasoned pilgrims wash their clothing in a sink and let it dry overnight. A good rule of thumb is to wash one or two things every night. If you need a washing maching and dryer, it varies by location. There are plenty of locations in the city center. |
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| Money (back to top) | |||
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1. How much will I need? This question requires you consider how many meals are included and how many free days of sighteeing and shopping you will have. Meals are included for YIE groups as specified in your group contracts. A good estimate for food is $10/meal, $6/fast food meal, or you can picnic for even less. Many will bring around $300. 2. Can I use a credit or debit card? You can buy almost anything in Europe with Visa or MC. You will get the banks exchange rate minus their commission (usually 3%). This is a good safety net for emergencies. Be sure to call your credit card company before you travel and let them know your plans so they do not put a hold on your card. Debit cards are very handy to withdraw money anywhere in Europe. If the bank is not open, the ATM will be! Your bank will charge you a withdrawal fee, but you should get a good exchange rate. Only use this for larger withdrawals since the fee is charged each time. Imagine a $5 fee on a $20 w/d. 3. Where should I stash my cash? Youth in Europe recommends that everyone use a money belt. Your money belt will be worn under your pants and only comes off when you shower. The around the neck types are good in inter but they will not work very well in the Spain because of the heat. 4. When/where can I change money? If you would like to change money before you leave the US you are welcome to do so at your local bank, just be sure they don’t charge more than a 5% commission. You will have the opportunity to change money when you arrive. The best exchange we’ve found is at the local banks (not the street vendors!) but keep in mind the banks are not open on weekends. ATM's are always open and a good place to pull out money. |
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| WYD Registration (back to top) | |||
1. How do I register? Usually YIE will initially register your group, unless you choose to do so on your own. It has not been announced whether Madrid 2011 will require each pilgrim to register as Sydney did, but once it is made public, we will put it on the webpage. |
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Electric Shocks (back to top) | ||
1. What are the outlets like in Europe? The continent of Europe operates on 220V not the 110V like in the US and Canada. Their plugs are round, not rectangular. |
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2. Will my electric thing work there? Virtually every high end electronic device these days (cameras, video-cams, cell phones) can handle the 220V without a converter (look at the fine print on the charger). All you need is an adaptor to change the plug shape. You can buy these at any REI or online (just google European outlet Adapter). |
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3. What about other stuff like hair equipment?
The first rule of thumb is don't bring anything for your hair that you have to plug in. Things like that almost always blow up or melt in Europe's 220V current. (A converter will work, but is bulky and heavy, and let’s remember this is a pilgrimage not a debut at fashion week.) |
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Keeping in Touch (back to top) | ||
Will I have Internet Access? There are plenty of internet cafes around Europe. They are moderately priced to send a quick email or sign on to Skype to talk to your loved ones! Many internet cafes now also have phone booths with cheap rates. |
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Can I bring a pre-paid phone card? These are relatively inexpensive at Sam's Club and Costco. If you buy one you have to call the company (MCI, ATT) before you leave to ask for their access numbers for the countries you will be in. |
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Will my cell phone work? Some cell phones work in Europe.If you have a tri-band phone that operates on the 900/1800/1900 bands, it will work, but you have to call your company and ask them to turn on the international function. We definitely do not recommend anyone bring their cell phones except chaperones. Roaming charges will be around $1.00 per minute. If you phone is "unlocked", you can purchase a SIM card in Europe to make calls back to North America for around $0.30 per minute. |
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Will I have a cell phone provided & contact info in advance? We have set up a group webpage for each of our groups. Every pilgrim, and parents staying behind, should have access to that link. Before you leave the country it will be updated with the contact information for Hotels (if you have chosen hotels), Cell Phones (every Youth in Europe Guide will have a cell phone) in case you need to get in contact with someone immediately, and Youth in Europe’s numbers in Europe to help if a problem arises (you will also have these cell phone numbers). You can also get a message to your group through Youth in Europe's office. |
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What to Expect (back to top) | ||
What will the weather be like? World Youth Day will take place from August 15th to the 22nd, 2011. This is late summer in Spain. It is usually very hot during the day, getting up to the 90s. The evenings can be pleasantly cool. Check the internet for specific forecasts on the internet before departure. |
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How will we be getting around? In most cases you will be met at the airport in Madrid by your guide and brought to your lodging via public transit. Groups will be using the public transit to get around throughout WYD week. Transit is included in your pilgrim pass on August 15th-22nd. During Days in the Diocese you are in the care of your host family or parish, specific details and questions about meals and transit should be directed to them, as answers vary. |
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| What will be included in my registration materials? You will receive a pilgrim pack on arrival in Madrid. WYD and YIE will work to ensure that your registration materials are delivered to you (no waiting in long lines as in the past). The materials generally included a backpack, lanyard with your registration pass, meal passes, a liturgical guide, maps, a detailed program of events and youth festival venues, and a few other handy goodies. | |||
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What is the schedule of events? (back to top)
Tuesday August 16th 2011
Wednesday August 17th 2011
Thursday August 18th 2011
Friday August 19th 2011
Saturday August 20th 2011
Sunday August 21st 2011
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| Medical Concerns (back to top) | |||
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Does WYD provide medical insurance? Spain has nationalized healthcare and provides basic services for visitors. WYD is not planning on providing anything more than this basic service. However, because nationalized healthcare is very difficult to work with, some WYD committee members are recommending supplimental medical insurance. |
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Do I need additional medical insurance?
You should check your insurance company to see if you have coverage in Europe and under what terms. Many do cover you but you must pay up front and then get reimbursed. If you do not have coverage you can buy travelers medical insurance from Travelex |
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What if I have prescription medications?
If you will be bringing a prescription med, get an extra prescription from the doctor in case the meds get lost. It's always best to bring the meds in the original bottle. |
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About us ~ Why travel YIE ~ Contact us 1-800-601-7225 ~ All rights reserved © copyright 1995-2011 ~ www.Catholic.travel and Youth in Europe, Inc |
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