BOOKING YOUR OWN FLIGHTS
Booking your own flights has advantages like flying from your home airport, choosing your own seats, upgrading your seats, and using and collecting airline miles. Tour-only travelers are responsible for arranging their entry and exit flights, as well as their arrival and departure transfers. Unused land services including those caused by air schedule changes and delays are non-refundable and smarTours cannot be held responsible.
When booking your flights, please note that our tour starts in Zagreb and ends in Munich. We recommend that you:
- Fly into Franjo Tuđman Airport Zagreb (ZAG)
- Fly out of Munich International Airport (MUC)
TOUR MEETING POINT
When and where you’ll meet the rest of the group depends on if you purchased our air-inclusive package with group flights from/returning to the U.S. or our tour-only package.
- smarTours Tour-Only Travelers: We recommend you arrive around 4 PM to settle in before joining the welcome orientation and dinner on Day 1. Hotel check-in is generally not before 4:00 PM.
TOUR ENDING POINT
The final end point for your tour depends on if you purchased our air-inclusive package with group flights from/returning to the U.S. or our tour-only package.
- smarTours Tour-Only Travelers: The tour ends after breakfast on the last day. Generally, hotel check-out is prior to 12 PM (noon).
PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION
Travelers must be in possession of a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of travel. A visa is not required for U.S. passport holders traveling to Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, and Germany.
Effective for travel in mid-2025, all visitors who do not require a visa to enter Europe will be required to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver. The application must be completed online and there is a small fee. Once approved, an ETIAS can be used for 3 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
Before your trip, review travel requirements and restrictions by country including passport and visa requirements. You can also learn more about passport and visa services. Please remember that it is your responsibility to obtain the necessary travel documents before the trip.
TICKETS AND FINAL DOCUMENTS
Final instructions, documents, and travel tips will be emailed to you 10–14 days before the scheduled start of your tour. If you have not received your final documents, please check your spam folder or contact smarTours.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Immunizations are not currently required, however, you may wish to consult your personal physician or local health authorities for their suggestions. The CDC recommends you stay up to date on routine vaccinations, and consult your physician at least one month prior to travel. Learn more about the CDC’s destination-specific recommendations.
CREDIT CARDS AND LOCAL CURRENCY
The official currency in Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, and Germany is the Euro (€). Hotels and some stores accept major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, and American Express. However, for “street shopping” and at the markets you will need local currency. Many of the Christmas market stalls do not accept credit cards. While on tour, you withdraw local currency from an ATM machine. Please check with your bank and credit card for any fees and to notify them of travel. It is recommended that you bring along cash in small denominations.
Electricity
Croatia, Slovenia, and Germany operate on 230 volts/50 Hz and uses two prong plug types (C and F) that can be found in Europe. Please check any electronic devices you plan to bring to determine if you need an adaptor (which allows you to plug your devices into a different-shaped outlet) and/or a converter (which allows you to convert the voltage for single-voltage electronics).
CLIMATE
In December, travelers can expect a daily average of 30–40°F.
BAGGAGE
Each passenger may bring one piece of checked-in luggage and one carry-on piece. Please check with the airline for the maximum weight and size for luggage. We recommend that you do not over-pack and that you take a variety of separates with climate and comfort in mind.