EVERYONE should have a small carry on bag containing: a change of clothes, all medicine, camera (if you are taking one), and any other items that you would need in case of lost luggage. If you carry a hat box this may count as your carryon. Therefore, you may wish to find a packable hat that can be decorated with pin on feathers, etc., after your arrival in London.

The only documents needed for your trip to the UK are a PASSPORT and a tourist card that will be given to you by the flight crew just before your arrival in London.

Have your passport in your hand - you cannot board without it! Pack a small umbrella and carry it everywhere.

Pack clothes that can be layered. London's weather can be 50 degrees one day and 20 degrees the next. Raining one minute and clear the next. Also everything is very casual. Take comfortable walking shoes. Although you will be riding in the parade, there will be some walking during your four included tours. Plus several Red Hatters have expressed a desire to alternate walking and riding during the Parade itself.

Your hotel: The Royal Horseguards, a four star deluxe hotel.
All rooms have television, radio, telephone, and usually a refrigerator and safe.
All rooms will be centrally heated or air conditioned.
All rooms have hair dryers and most have pants pressers.

The power supply in the United Kingdom is 240V.
DO NOT USE U. S. ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT WITHOUT A TRANSFORMER. The equipment will explode or melt as soon as it is plugged in.

All beverages are extra with meals except breakfast. Coffee and Juice are supplied with breakfast but only water comes with any other meal. This is sometimes a culture shock for Americans.

$120 will more than cover your lunches. Any other money you take should be geared to your spending habits. Remember that the British Pound is almost $2 US Dollars. That means that almost everything will cost twice as much as in the U.S. It is better to use credit cards rather than traveler's checks for almost everything. Some merchants will not take traveler's checks.

You will wear your "Red Hat Society Regalia" for the Parade and the theater but you may wear it any other time you wish. Remember, the idea is to have fun and be comfortable. In case of rain on New Year's Day you can wear a clear poncho or a purple raincoat. If an umbrella is used in the Parade it must be RED.

Tickets will be delivered in November. When your ticket is delivered you will also be given directions as to who will meet you in London plus any last minute instructions if necessary. Once we are on the bus heading to our hotel we will be in the company of our Resource Person who will be with us 24/7 to make everything run smoothly.