Things to Know

Schedules and sites visited are subject to availability

Who may attend

The Poindexter Descendants Association (PDA) tours are open to all PDA members, their families and friends.  The general public is also welcome.  Please consider joining us. These are history oriented tours and are not designed for minors or pets.

Deadline Dates to be Aware Of

• Postmarked by January 3, 2025:
  • Registration forms must be postmarked by this date
  • Down payment of the registration fee is due. 
• Postmarked by March 3, 2025:
  • Second and final registration fee is due
• Postmarked by April 4, 2025, each registrant is required to provide to the Tour Hosts a copy of the following or shall be deemed to have canceled their registrations:
  • the photo page of their passports
  • benefits page of their comprehensive travel insurance with effective dates
  • airline travel itinerary details including flight numbers, origination and destination airports, and times
• Cancellation deadlines, see Terms and Conditions

Passports

• All tour registrants are required to have and bring your current passport.
• If you do not have a passport, submit your application at your local post office at least three months in advance of your departure date.
• If you do have a passport, check its expiration date.  Your passport should be valid for at least six months after your return home.
• Information about applying for a new passport and rules about expiring passports can be found at the U.S. Department of State web site.
• All tour registrants are required to provide to the Tour Hosts a copy of the photo page of their passports by April 4, 2025.

NEW: UK's Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) and EU's European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS)

Changes to Visa-Waiver programs in the EU and UK take effect in 2025.  Tour registrants must apply for the authorizations prior to departing for the tour.  Apply online.  You will receive an email response within a few days from the UK and EU governments.  There are fees which are not included in your registration fee for the Tours.  Read this article from Rick Steve's Europe for more information.

UK's ETA:  Each tour participant flying through a UK airport, visiting the United Kingdom, or flying on to Jersey will need to apply for an ETA.  You will need to upload a photo of your passport and a recent digital photo of yourself, and answer a few questions.  The fee is £10, which you can pay with a credit card.  You can expect to receive a decision on your application in about three working days, but it may take longer.  You will receive an email confirming your ETA.  Use the UK ETA app on your Android or iPhone or online at gov.uk.

EU's ETIAS:  This program is expected to start mid-2025.  As of Decmber 18, 2024, applications can not yet be submitted.  Please check back here in April for updates.  Each tour partricipant flying through an EU airport (including France and Republic of Ireland) or arriving in France by ferry from Jersey will need to apply for an ETIAS.  More information is available online at travel-europe.europa.eu

Visas

At this time, a visa is not required to visit Jersey or France by those carrying U.S. passports.  Canada may have different rules. 

Travel Insurance

• Every tour registrant is required to provide to the Tour Hosts proof of comprehensive travel insurance by April 4, 2025.  You will provide a copy of the policy summary page (certificate of coverage) showing coverages, name of the insurance company, and their contact information.
• Comprehensive coverage typically includes trip cancellation/interruption, medical, evacuation, baggage, flight insurance, etc. 
• In addition, include your registration costs for the Tours, should you need to cancel your registration, leave the Tour early, or the PDA cancels the Tour.
• The Rick Steves' Europe web site explains the importance of travel insurance, types of coverage availble, and suggests several companies.

Airline Itineraries

• All tour registrants are required to provide to the Tour Hosts a copy of their travel itinerary details (flight numbers, origination and destination airports, and times) of their flights between the U.S. (or any other point of origin) and European airports on or before April 4, 2025.
• Allow enough time between connecting flights to change terminals and planes. See Flights and Travel Details.
• Tour registrants who are traveling to additional locations in the European Union, United Kingdom, or elsewhere before or after any these PDA tours should include those itineraries as well.

Medications and Medical Equipment

• If you need to travel with medications, be sure to pack these in your carry-on bag, not your checked bags.  Lost luggage is bad enough, lost luggage containing your needed medication can be a disaster.
• Prescription medications should be in a pharmacy labeled container.
• Bring paper copies of your prescriptions with you.
• Check this TSA web site for their current regulations regarding medications.
• If you need to travel with any type of medical equipment, aids or devices review this TSA web site.  Also review our Electricity hints lower on this page.

Physical Demands

• The daily tours can be physically demanding and will happen rain or shine, warm or cold.
• Participants should anticipate a fair amount of walking. 
• Stairs, hills, uneven and rough terrain are part of the adventure. 
• You may need to carry or roll your luggage over uneven pavement and up and down stairways, so pack light.
• Many of the Tours' hotels do not have elevators or air conditioning.

Accessibility

• Not all of the locations we visit are accessible. 
• If you have any conditions that may cause concern, make a point to discuss these tours with your physician prior to registering.
• If you have an accessibility need and are interested in our tours, prior to registering, please contact us.  We will attempt to accommodate you as best as we can.

Currency

• Traditionally it has been a good idea to arrive in the London and Jersey airports with some British Pounds in your wallet.
• Credit and debit cards are widely accepted today at ATMs, stores, and restaurants. 
• Inform your bank, credit union, or card company that you are traveling overseas before you depart.
• England and Jersey both accept British Pounds.  Jersey also has its own Jersey Pounds which are only accepted in the Channel Islands.
• France is a member of the European Union so the currency is Euros, which is not accepted in Jersey and England.
• ATM's are readily available in London airports, Jersey, and Normandy.  Fees may apply, including conversion fees.
• Some Jersey ATM's offer money options in Pounds or Euros.
• See Rick Steves' currency tips for Europe.

Cell Phones

• We suggest you do carry a cell phone with you so that the Tour Hosts may communicate with you. 
• Check with your cell phone provider to determine if you can use your existing cell phone and to sign up for their international plans.
• Review Rick Steves' information on using your phone in Europe.
• The Tour Hosts are available by phone, text, and Whats App.  Registrants will be given the Host's number.
• Don't forget your chargers!  Keep a charger and an outlet adapter in your carry-on bag so you can recharge your phone while traveling or using it on the airplane.  Some airlines provide U.S. power and USB outlets at your seat.
• Power outlets are different from what we have in the U.S.  See photos of adapters you will need below for examples.  Include one adapter in your carry on to recharge your phone during your layover in London.  Pack additional adapters in your checked luggage.

Electricity in Jersey and France

• Before bringing any electrical device (phone, tablet, CPAP machine, etc.) on your trip, check the label on its power supply to confirm the device will work with 220 to 240 volts.   Most power supplies sold with newer devices do support both U.S. and European power sources.
• In the U.S., electrical outlets are 110 to 120 volts.  In Jersey and France (as well as the United Kingdom and most other European countries) the electrical outlets are 220 volts.
• Not only do U.S. outlets have different voltage output from Europe, they also look different.  To plug in your electrical devices while traveling, you must bring the proper adapters with you.
• If you are going on both the Jersey Tour and the Normandy Tour, you will need two different types of adapters since Jersey and France use different types of outlets (see photos of adapter below for examples).
• Here are some additional suggestions:
  • Adapters are generally inexpensive and can easily be purchased in the U.S. at most hardware stores, home improvement stores, travel stores, and online.
  • Some hotel rooms may have only one outlet.  If you will be traveling with more than one electrical device, you may want to also bring a small power strip in your checked bag.  Look for a strip that includes some USB jacks to charge your phone(s), which may enable you to leave some of those power cubes at home.
  • Make sure that the power strip's plug can be easily plugged into your adapters. 
  • After your power strip is plugged into the adapter, you will be able to then plug in a few different devices using only one wall outlet.
  • That single outlet may be on a wall opposite the bed.  If you use a CPAP machine, you may want to bring your own lightweight extension cord (20 foot long should do it).