Two things top the list every single time: a passport valid six months beyond your return date, and travel insurance with trip cancellation. We learned the passport lesson the hard way on a trip to Greece, when our return flight was canceled just hours before departure. Now imagine not being able to travel at all because of a formality you could have handled months earlier.
Being prepared is more important than ever
None of us have a crystal ball. Planning for the what-ifs matters more with every trip we plan, and heading into our 2027 tour season, it’s the first thing we want on your radar. Traveling internationally requires a valid passport, so please don’t wait until the last minute. Processing times vary, and expediting a passport at short notice is both costly and stressful.
Passports should be valid six months after your return
Airlines and TSA recommend, and sometimes require, six months of validity beyond your return from abroad. For full details, visit the US Government passport information site.
A few passport shortcuts worth bookmarking now, before your 2027 travel dates sneak up on you:
- Apply for a new passport in person
- Renew a passport (anyone under 16 must apply in person)
- Passport fee calculator
- Passport photo requirements
Travel insurance with trip cancellation is another must
Travel insurance protects you and your investment in the trip itself. Whether you’re at home or already on vacation, life happens, and that can upend even the most carefully planned itinerary. You or a close relative could get sick, an airline could lose or delay your luggage, or you could need emergency medical coverage abroad.
Travel insurance with trip cancellation protects your investment and gives you real peace of mind. That’s why Inside Europe recommends Arch RoamRight for our travelers.
One size never fits all. Travelers should assess their own needs against the coverage options available, including enhanced benefits such as “Cancel for Any Reason.”
A few insurance shortcuts:
- Request a travel insurance quote
- Travel insurance plans at a glance
- Description of the group insurance coverage for California-based travelers on any journey of 8 days or more
- Description of the ProPlus plan for CA residents, includes Cancel for Work Reasons if purchased within 21 days of trip deposit
Buy your insurance shortly after your deposit for the extra perks
Group insurance is often the best value for student travelers and individuals alike. The Arch RoamRight Pro plan adds trip cancellation, political and security assistance, and emergency evacuation, and suits budget-conscious travelers well. Pro Plus is their most popular plan for any type of travel: trip cancellation, political and security assistance, and emergency medical evacuation to the hospital of your choice. Purchase it within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, and Cancel for Work Reasons is included automatically.
Pro and Pro Plus plans include one child under 18
It’s another reason we like working with Arch RoamRight: under most plans, except the group option, one child under 18 is covered for each insured adult. Read each plan’s description closely, and don’t hesitate to consult a travel insurance expert with questions. Their specialists are reachable toll-free at 1-866-891-6614. Let them know you’re traveling on an Inside Europe experience and have both the dates and cost of your tour package handy,
What about illness coverage?
Arch RoamRight may provide coverage for sickness, including Covid-19, under the terms of your specific plan. Confirm your policy details directly with a specialist before you travel.
Selecting the right coverage takes time, just like planning one of our journeys does. There’s a lot to compare, and your situation may differ from another traveler’s. Don’t rush this step.
You don’t drive without car insurance, right?
Travel insurance with trip cancellation is a must-have for anyone joining an Inside Europe travel experience, though the coverage you choose is entirely up to you. Every one of us on the team travels with insurance, for work and for pleasure. You wouldn’t drive a car without insurance, so as you look ahead to 2027, don’t travel without it either.