Agent Reference
Know Before You Go
Practical, region-specific things worth flagging to clients before they travel — tipping norms, room standards, electrical, water safety, dress codes, and local customs that commonly catch American travelers off guard.
Western Europe
France, Germany, UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria
Tipping
Not mandatory — service is usually included. Rounding up or leaving 5–10% for good service is polite, not expected.
Hotel Beds
True US-style king beds are uncommon. Many "king" rooms are actually two twins pushed together with separate linens.
Electrical
Type C/E/F outlets, 230V. US devices need a plug adapter, and non dual-voltage electronics need a converter too.
Tap Water
Safe to drink virtually everywhere.
Dress Code
Casual is fine most places, but churches and cathedrals often require covered shoulders and knees.
Business Hours
Many shops close Sundays; smaller shops may close for a midday break, especially outside major cities.
Cash vs. Card
Cards widely accepted, but small cafes, markets, and rural spots may be cash-only.
Good to Know
Germany and parts of Austria/Switzerland observe quiet hours in residential areas — loud activity late at night or on Sundays can draw complaints.
Southern Europe
Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece
Tipping
Rounding up is generally sufficient — not the US-style 15–20% expectation.
Hotel Beds
Same as Western Europe — true king beds are the exception, not the rule.
Siesta Culture
Many businesses in Spain and parts of Italy close mid-afternoon (roughly 1–4pm) and reopen in the evening. Plan around this for shopping or errands.
Dress Code
Religious sites are strict about modest dress — shoulders and knees covered, sometimes required for entry regardless of weather.
Tap Water
Generally safe in cities; bottled water is preferred in some rural or island areas.
Cash vs. Card
Smaller towns and family-run restaurants lean more cash-reliant than big cities.
Eastern Europe & Nordic Countries
Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland
Cash vs. Card
Nordic countries are nearly cashless — cards (and phone payment) are expected almost everywhere. Eastern Europe still uses more cash, especially outside capitals.
Cost of Travel
Nordic countries run noticeably more expensive than the rest of Europe — worth setting client expectations on daily costs.
Electrical
Type C/F outlets, 230V, same adapter as Western Europe.
Tipping
Rounding up is typical and appreciated; not expected at the US level.
East Asia
Japan, South Korea, China
Tipping
Not customary and can genuinely cause confusion or be considered rude in Japan — good service is the baseline expectation, not something tipped for.
Cash vs. Card
Japan is more cash-reliant than its tech reputation suggests — carry yen for smaller vendors. China runs heavily on mobile payment apps (Alipay/WeChat Pay), which can be hard for visitors to set up.
Electrical
Japan: Type A/B, 100V. China: Type A/C/I, 220V. Check device compatibility before packing.
Dress Code
Modest dress expected at temples and shrines. Shoes off before entering many indoor spaces, including some restaurants.
Tap Water
Generally safe in Japan and South Korea. Bottled water recommended in China.
Southeast Asia
Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia
Tipping
Appreciated but not obligatory — small amounts go a long way and are well received.
Tap Water
Bottled water recommended throughout — avoid tap water and ice from unknown sources.
Dress Code
Cover shoulders and knees at temples; some sites provide loaner sarongs for visitors dressed too casually.
Cash vs. Card
Cash is still important outside major tourist hubs and hotels — don't rely solely on cards.
Business Hours
Markets and street food scenes often run into the evening rather than following typical daytime retail hours.
South Asia
India, Sri Lanka, Nepal
Tipping
Modest tipping is appreciated in restaurants and for guides/drivers.
Tap Water
Bottled water only — this is a firm one, not a suggestion.
Dress Code
Modest dress is important, especially for women, particularly at religious sites.
Bargaining
Common and expected at markets — listed prices are often a starting point, not the final price.
Middle East
UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, Egypt
Tipping
Often expected, especially in tourist-heavy areas like the UAE — hotel staff, drivers, and guides commonly anticipate a tip.
Dress Code
Conservative dress matters, especially for women — covering shoulders and knees is a safe default outside resort areas.
Alcohol
Rules vary significantly by country — banned in Saudi Arabia, tightly regulated and typically limited to licensed hotels/restaurants in the UAE and Qatar.
Weekend & Closures
The weekend often falls Friday–Saturday rather than Saturday–Sunday, with businesses closing for Friday prayers.
Ramadan
During Ramadan, eating or drinking in public during daylight hours is discouraged or restricted in some countries — worth flagging to clients traveling during this period.
Caribbean & Mexico
Mexico, Jamaica, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, and broader Caribbean
Tipping
US-style tipping is expected, especially at all-inclusive resorts — many resort staff rely heavily on tips.
Cash vs. Card
USD is widely accepted in tourist areas, but local currency is better for spots outside the resort bubble.
Tap Water
Bottled water recommended in Mexico outside resorts. Resort water in the Caribbean is typically treated and safe onsite.
Dress Code
Casual/resort wear is fine almost everywhere — this region is generally the most relaxed on dress of any covered here.
Good to Know
Standard common-sense travel safety applies — stick to well-trafficked, tourist-oriented areas, especially after dark, outside the resort itself.
North Africa
Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia
Tipping
Tipping (often called "baksheesh" in Egypt) is expected widely — for guides, drivers, hotel staff, and even small services like bathroom attendants.
Dress Code
Conservative dress recommended, especially for women — shoulders and knees covered outside resort areas, and a headscarf on hand for mosque visits.
Tap Water
Bottled water recommended throughout.
Bargaining
Expected at souks and markets — listed prices are a starting point, not final.
Good to Know
Egypt and Morocco are both Muslim-majority — during Ramadan, public eating/drinking during daylight hours is discouraged, similar to the Middle East.
West Africa
Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast
Tipping
Appreciated but varies widely by country — not always expected outside tourist-facing hospitality.
Tap Water
Bottled water strongly recommended throughout the region.
Cash vs. Card
Cash is essential — card acceptance is limited outside major hotels and cities.
Health Prep
Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry to several countries in this region — worth confirming current requirements per destination well before travel.
East Africa
Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda
Tipping
Expected for safari guides and drivers specifically — often a meaningful part of their income, with per-day guidelines commonly published by tour operators.
Tap Water
Bottled water recommended throughout.
Health Prep
Malaria prevention and yellow fever vaccination are commonly relevant for this region — worth flagging clients to check with a travel clinic.
Good to Know
Many safari lodges have strict luggage weight limits for small-plane transfers between camps — worth confirming early in trip planning.
Central Africa
Rwanda (gorilla trekking hub), DRC, Gabon
Good to Know
This region is far less tourism-infrastructure-heavy than East or North Africa — itineraries here are typically specialized (e.g., gorilla trekking) and booked through experienced regional operators rather than general resorts.
Health Prep
Vaccination and health prep requirements are especially important here — recommend a travel clinic consultation well ahead of departure.
Tap Water
Bottled water only.
Southern Africa
South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe
Tipping
Expected in restaurants (typically 10-15%) and for safari guides/trackers, often with suggested per-day amounts from the lodge or operator.
Tap Water
Generally safe to drink in South Africa's major cities; bottled water recommended in more rural or remote safari areas.
Electrical
South Africa uses Type M/N outlets, which differ from most of the rest of the continent — worth double-checking adapter compatibility per country on multi-country itineraries.
Cash vs. Card
Cards widely accepted in South Africa's cities; more cash-reliant in rural areas and smaller lodges.