EF's rules of the road
In the spirit of successful travel, here’s a list of regulations you MUST stick to on tour:
- All scheduled activities are obligatory. If you’re sick or have a physical ailment, you must tell your group leader, who should notify the EF Tour Director.
- If you want to visit friends or relatives in a destination country, your group leader must be told BEFORE the tour begins. Upon request, EF will provide a form to be completed by your parents, giving authorization for the visits. Give the form to the EF Tour Director upon arrival.
- Visitors or group members of the opposite sex are not permitted in your room. Your group leader and EF Tour Director may establish a curfew (usually 11:30pm). You’re expected to respect the nightly curfew for your own safety and security. Room checks will be conducted each night.
- Smoking is not allowed on buses, during meals, in hotel rooms or in any other shared, enclosed space.
- Hitchhiking and the driving or renting of any motor vehicle is strictly forbidden for all travelers.
- The consumption of hard liquor is strictly forbidden. Your parents may sign a consent form at your group leader’s discretion, giving permission to consume wine or beer if you’re under the age of 21, on occasion and under supervision, in countries where you’re of legal drinking age. Excessive drinking of wine or beer by anyone in your tour group will result in disciplinary action, including dismissal from the tour at the participant’s expense. You can get a copy of this form in Forms and Resources under My Tours.
- Shoplifting, possession of illegal drugs and all other illegal activities will not be tolerated and are punishable by immediate dismissal from the tour. All costs to return home are at your expense. If the local authorities are involved, you will be subject to the laws of the country you’re visiting.
- You’re required to pay for any phone calls or incidental personal expenses incurred at hotels. These will be payable the evening before departure at each hotel.
- Compensation for damage done to hotel rooms or to buses is the responsibility of you.
If you don’t conform to any of these regulations, you risk disciplinary action and possible dismissal from the tour, returning home at your own expense. This decision is reached in consultation with group leaders, the EF Tour Director, and your parents.