Travel Rules
Alcohol, Drug Possession & Use
Possession or use of alcohol and/or illegal substances is absolutely forbidden and will result in dismissal from the group and a return home at the parents’ or guardians’ expense.
Weapons
Weapons such as knives, firearms or firecrackers may not be carried or purchased by students.
Attendance
All attendees, students and chaperones, are expected to be with the group at all times. You may only leave the group and change the itinerary in case of emergency.
Curfew
A general midnight curfew applies to all Thespian Tours trips. Unless there is a teacher-supervised activity running past midnight, you must be in your hotel room from midnight until the next morning. Respect other hotel guests by keeping noise to a minimum after 10 p.m.
Gambling
Gambling of any form is not permitted.
Sexual Misconduct
You may be sent home at a parents’ or guardians’ expense for inappropriate sexual conduct.
Hotel/Bus/Transportation Behavior Guidelines
Be especially careful with your room and your bus. You will be held personally responsible for any damage you cause, and you will not be allowed to leave the hotel until the damage is paid for. When a hotel reports damage to a room, Thespian Tours will investigate, but will ultimately consider the hotel’s report to be definitive.
You will be responsible for phone calls made from your room and any extra hotel expenses (for example, items from a room mini-fridge). Under no circumstances may you consume alcoholic beverages from the mini-fridge.
Stealing towels, etc. as souvenirs is forbidden, since waiters and maids are required to pay for any missing items.
Show consideration to others. Absolutely no running in the hallways or shouting down the hallways is allowed at any time, day or night.
Do not wash clothing in the rooms. You will be charged for any water stains. Self-service laundromats are very common in Europe. Your hotel concierge will tell you where to find the nearest one.
You may not go barefoot or shirtless anywhere in the hotel outside your room. Show respect to your tour manager and local guides. Do not use headphones or electronic games during commentary.
Respect for Local Culture
The local people you meet are not “tourist attractions.” This is their city, their home - remember to act like a guest. Monuments are made for admiring; please do not climb on them. Toss gum wrappers in public wastebaskets (or put them in your pocket). Behave in cathedrals or royal residences the way you would want visitors to behave at the White House or the Vietnam Memorial.
Dress
Your attire is an important way of showing respect for your host culture. You will not be allowed into cathedrals wearing shorts or skirts above the knee, sleeveless blouses or T-shirts, no matter how hot it is. Keep your attire neat. Europeans interpret a neat appearance as a sign of respect.
All participants are required to wear the tour's t-shirt on travel days.
Adaptability
You should be courteous and congenial at all times, even when encountering things you don’t like. Since the time of Marco Polo, travel has involved certain inconveniences. Places may get crowded, traffic may be busy, buses may be delayed. Pack tolerance and a sense of humor in your suitcase!
Discipline
First violation: A warning meeting with your Troupe Leader and the Tour Manager. If necessary, a collect phone call will be made to your parent(s) or guardian(s). A restriction will be imposed.
Second violation: A disciplinary meeting with your Troupe Leader and the Tour Manager. A collect phone call to your parent(s)or guardian(s) will be made at this time. Probation will be imposed. One more offense and the participant will be sent home at your parents' or guardians' expense.
Serious Violation (such as drinking hard liquor, drinking wine or beer without a group leader present, sexual misconduct, absence after curfew, etc.): The Periplos Travel office will be contacted, and a collect phone call to your parent(s) or guardian(s) will be made. At this time the Troupe Leader and Thespian Tours Staff will decide whether to send you home at your expense.
Second Serious Violation (such as drunkenness, use of drugs, overnight absence, sexual misconduct, etc.): Thespian Tours and Periplos Travel, along with your Troupe Leader will make arrangements to send you home at your parents’ or guardians’ expense.