What to Bring:

Non-Volleyball

In general you can find anything in Europe, so if you forget something you can buy it on tour. You are traveling to Europe in the winter and it will be cold, so you need to be prepared with warm clothes. In general, Americans pack way too much on tour, so we really recommend limiting the amount of clothes that you bring. This list is not inclusive; it is just designed to help you.

Money: An ATM card is the best way to handle money. They work the same as in the states and they are everywhere. However, please make sure they work before you leave the USA and don’t forget your pin. Second, traveler’s checks always work, however you need to find an exchange place and commissions can be high. Again, I highly recommend ATM cards. During your trip you will use five different currencies, which is why an ATM card is the best way of handling money. Exchange rates change by the day, but current rates are:

1 US dollar = .78 euro
1 US dollar = 185 Slovenian Tolars
1 US dollar = 23 Czech Crowns
1 US dollar = 6 Croatian Kuna
1 US dollar = 65 Serbian dinar

Passport: Make a copy of the inside cover of your passport and keep in a separate location. This is helpful if you lose your passport.

Camera and Film: You can buy film wherever we travel, however its best to just bring enough film with you. If you have a digital camera that is even better.

Telephone calls. If you buy a prepaid phone card, or want to use your own calling card, make sure you know the international access number. It’s different in each country. For example, if you use AT&T, they have access numbers for each country in Europe. You call these toll free numbers in Europe and get in contact with a USA operator. But you need to know these numbers before you come to Europe. It is possible to buy phone cards in Europe at reasonable rates. In general calling back to the United States is time consuming and expensive and should be limited.

Many of you have USA cell phones that will work in Europe. If you have this plan, it is nice to have your cell phone for emergency purposes.

Internet: There are Internet café all over Europe so you will be able to keep in touch via the Internet. However, this is only a 10-day tour, so come prepared to enjoy yourself, not spend all your time searching for internet and phone centers.

All personal items to last for the entire trip. You can buy whatever you need; however they might not have the brand you prefer.

Your favorite snack food, as there is a good chance you will not be able to find it on Europe.

Clothing: Plan on it being cold, and you will need a hat, gloves, a warm coat and good warm shoes. Also, if you get cold very easy, I would recommend long underwear to keep you warm. Most of your sight seeing will be done outside and you need to be dressed to spend hours outside sight seeing in Europe.

New Years Eve will be spent as a group at the hotel in Maribor. Dress will be casual and you will not need anything special for that night.

Electrical items: Europe is on a different system so you will need an adaptor. It’s almost cheaper to buy a hair dryer in Europe then to buy a good adaptor.

Tour book on Central Europe.

Volleyball Items:

Practice clothes: You will practice around three times, and you need to bring your own practice clothes.

Water bottle: make sure you have one or two of these!

Towel: We will shower at the gym after each match and they will not provide a towel.

All medications that you currently use. If you are real worried about this bring a copy of your prescriptions

Tape, pre-wrap or ankle braces: We do not provide this on the trip, so if you need this make sure you bring enough. On almost any trip there is someone who can tape ankles.

Very Important. Please make sure that you pack one set of volleyball gear in your carry on luggage. Just in case your luggage gets lost you will need it to practice or play.

Sweats or items that you can wear in between matches that will keep you warm. Gyms are heated, but they will still appear cold to many of you from warmer climates.

Volleyball Tee shirts and old uniforms to change with other players.


Skiing/Snow Boarding

There will be a chance to ski/snowboard in Maribor, Slovenia on December 31 and January 1, 2007. We will keep you updated on the ski conditions as we get closer, but if you plan on skiing/snowboarding I would recommend you bring the following.

You will need to bring all your ski clothes as these can’t be rented
Do not bring your ski equipment, as this will be too difficult for us to transport. We have set up a special session with Élan skis to rent all the equipment that you will need. This includes snow boarding.
If you don’t ski or snowboard you will have the chance to take lessons if you want to learn.

In addition, if you don’t ski or snowboard, there are plenty of other winter activities such as sledding that will be available to you.