Please find enclosed:                                                    

1. Your Pickup Schedule
    You will find two copies of your pick up schedule, stating where and what time you will be picked up and also listing the names with address and phone numbers of each hotel. (You may want to leave a copy with a relative or friends.)  We try very hard to make the pick up schedules as convenient as possible for everyone.  Sometimes this causes the shuttle rides to be a bit long.  We appreciate your patience!  Our pick-up service is free and optional.  If you would rather arrange your own transportation to and from one of the designated meeting places, please let us know as soon as possible.
    ***On the day of your departure, please be ready to go at least 15 minutes before your shuttle is scheduled to pick you up.  If your scheduled departure time comes and your shuttle has not arrived yet, please call Rick Madison’s cell phone immediately at 320-295-3440.  If you are unable to reach Rick, please call the Coach Driver’s or Tour Director’s cell phone that is listed on the top of the pick-up schedule.  
    If your name does not appear on the pickup schedule or is incomplete or incorrect, please call us as soon as possible so that we can make the necessary corrections.

2.  Emergency Medical Form
    One form is enclosed for each traveler, to be filled out and brought with you and given to the Tour Director when boarding the motorcoach.

3.  Luggage Tag
    One luggage tag is also enclosed for each of you.  These tags are to be placed on the piece of luggage you want handled for you.  Please note: On the luggage tag you receive, there is a place that says “meet coach at” and then a city.  The city listed there is not necessarily the city you will be picked up in; it is the city your shuttle will take you to meet the coach.


Other useful information

1.  Weather and Packing
    Perhaps you are wondering what the weather will be like and what you should take along to wear. The best advice on clothing is to bring layered clothing such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters, and a light jacket or windbreaker that can be taken off or added as needed.  Comfortable walking shoes are a must.  Feel free to bring a dressy outfit for the Christmas shows!  Also, you may want to take a bathing suit along, since many hotels do have pools.  
    Average temperature highs and lows for the areas you will be in are as follows:
            Nashville: 56/37
    When packing, it is a good idea to pack valuables such as money or jewelry, as well as any medications in your carry on bag instead of your checked luggage.  Make sure you are carrying your proof of insurance card, and it is a good idea to take the phone number for your health insurance provider along.  Don’t forget to pack your camera and some extra film, especially if you are a photo enthusiast--you will have lots of great photo opportunities!  It is also a fun idea to take a journal along to record your vacation highlights for years to come.                                
                                            (Continued on back)

2.  Luggage Requirements and Restrictions – IMPORTANT CHANGE!!!
    Each traveler is allowed one large bag to be checked under the coach and handled for them and one carry on bag (you will need to handle your carry on yourself).  ***To accommodate enough storage room for everyone’s carry-on and to ensure it is not too cumbersome for handling, your carry-on must be like a soft-sided tote bag that does not have wheels!  
    
3.  Money
    A commonly asked question- and a difficult one to answer- is, “How much cash should I take along?”  When trying to plan how much to take along, keep in mind how many meals are included (as indicated in your brochure).  For meals on your own, we try, whenever possible, to take you to places where you have a choice of price ranges.  An average lunch while traveling can cost around $7-10 per person and a dinner from $13-16, depending on the restaurant you choose.  
    Credit cards are also very convenient when traveling, and widely accepted (Visa and MasterCard are the most universally accepted credit cards).  Travelers Checks can also be used; however, they are becoming less widely accepted and more difficult to use.
    
4.  Tipping
    Tips for all included features of the tour (baggage handling, included meals, etc.) will be taken care of by your Tour Director. Tips for meals on your own and other services (Ex. Hotel Room Attendant) are at the discretion of each tour participant.  Customary tips for Tour Director and Driver should be on a voluntary basis and given individually on the last night or day of the tour. A general guideline for tipping your Driver and Tour Director is approximately $2 per person per day for each.  Of course, you may want to tip more or less, depending on how you feel services were performed.  If you are being picked up by a taxi, the tip is already taken care of by R & J Tours.
    
We look forward to a wonderful trip with you!