First outline your requirements. Are you interested in Culture and / or Relaxing with the children? During vacation, you prefer action or relaxed? When can you go? Are you flexible or do you have a specific time frame? How many people are in our party? How many days do you have for a special interest and travel? Are "best possible" accommodations necessary? Do you have a budget?

Once these general questions are addressed, your inquiry (whether by letter, fax, e-mail or phone) could be started as follows:

"Our party of four - men in their mid-fifties - is interested in a week's fishing for peacock bass. We are flexible thus we would appreciate your suggestions as to the best time. Two members of our party are good fly fishermen, the other two prefers spinning gear. Our wifes are coming one week later and we intend to spend some days in Rio and than relax another week in an Eco Resort. Two ladies are especially interested in Flora and Fauna. We like comfortable but posh accommodations..."

From this one paragraph, B.I.T has an accurate thumbnail sketch of your party and is in an excellent position to offer recommendations.

But a letter that states: "Send me your brochure and all details. We're interested in peacock bass" will get a response, but a number of letters will have to be exchanged before one can zero in.

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There have been problems with a few agents who suddenly appear on the horizon only to disappear a few month later with thousand of dollars of deposits and balances. How can you tell the good agent from a bad one? If he has been in business for number of years (say 10 or more, like B.I.T is), he is probably good.

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They are totally misunderstood by some travellers-though perhaps conveniently so. A deposit is the hotel's guarantee that a reservation is being held for you. It is also your guarantee that you will "show up" for that specific period. Many things can happen of course; so most service providers have a grace period. Depending on the hotel, your deposit may be refundable if you provide a cancellation notice well advanced of your booking. Mostly we are talking about some days prior to arrival. But in some cases this can be 60, 90 days or more in advance of your booking. In other words if you cancel within a specified time, your deposit will be refunded. Sometimes a small cancellation fee is charged; others -during Carnival or New Year, for exemple- do not return deposits no matter how much advanced notice is given. Know this before you submit your deposit.

What happens if the cancellation is less than prescribed time? Usually you lose the deposit. And don't blame the service provider. If there were no policy concerning deposit and imposed penalties, there would be utter chaos. It is, however, B.I.T's interest to see you satisfied and we try everything to credit you for another period usually during that same calendar year.

An Example: A Fishing Camp. Many of he camps will refund the balance in case of cancellation (even if the deposit of $250 and later the balance of $750. A week prior to the trip, you find it necessary to cancel. With some camps, you would lose the deposit ($250), but your $750 would be returned to you. Be sure to check the camp's policy carefully prior to submitting your deposit. If it is not mentioned, please ask for it in writing. It could save you hundreds of dollars!

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You should arrive at the airport well ahead of schedule flight time. It's so important we're going to repeat it. You should arrive at the airport well ahead of schedule flight time. Different carriers have different baggage allowances. Flying to Brazil, however, you don't need to many clothes. First climate is very gentle and second in the least occasions you need a Business Dress.

Upon arrival at the destination airport, you'll go through customs. It's our experience that 99% of the customs officials are courteous and understanding. Occasionally you'll come across a baggage inspector be obvious and avoid arguments at all costs.

All our services, if you wish, employ representatives at destinations cities who meet guests at the airport and transfer them. At some places they may collect the airline tickets for reconfirmation. Although not as prevalent as in years past, some airlines insist that return flight is not reconfirmed, a passenger can be "bumped" from the flight if it is oversold.

If you opted not to have a Guide picking you up and doing this for you, and you are going into the interior of Brazil the next day, here's what we suggest: While at the airport, take your ticket to the counter of the carrier that will be flying you back to the U.S., and explain that you will be in a remote area and therefore you would like immediate reconfirmation. Have the clerk initial your ticket next to the outbound flight. This is probably the best way of reconfirming a flight on your own.

Another method is to ask the bell captain at the hotel to do this for you. Write out the reconfirmation instructions, give him a tip, and ask him to obtain the name of the airline person who reconfirms the flight. While much of this may sound petty, it can save you hundreds of dollars, especially if you are traveling on a promotional or excursion fare. Again, reconfirmation is not as prevalent as it once was.

Tip: Include a copy of your itinerary (with camp phone numbers) with your baggage tag, especially if you are visiting several areas. If your luggage is lost, airline personnel may be able to forward it to you at the appropriate lodge.

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Clothing
The mistake some travellers make when going to a tropical climate is that they assume that because it is warm, one should take shorts and short sleeves. Many trips have been totally ruined. The tropical sun can be very intense. Even on cloudy days the ultraviolet rays can produce a burn. Take lightweight, long trousers and lightweight shirts!

Short sleeve shirts and bermudas can be worn during day. At night you don't have to dress up. But long trousers and a good cotton shirt make you look smart in most any ocasion. Remember that many restaurants in Brazil do make best use of their Air Condition. A light pullover around the shoulders can be handy. Most hotels offer some laundry service, but of course, you should check in advance. Several changes of underwear, socks, should be taken even if there is good laundry service.

Eye Glasses
By all means use polarizing sunglasses. There are many Polaroid sunglasses on the market today ranging from $12 to over $200. Even if you wear prescription glasses, you can obtain prescription Polaroid's from $75 to $200. If you don't want to invest in good glasses, you can get by with clip-on that fit over your regular eyeglasses for about $10.

Sun Tan Lotion
You're inviting trouble if you head for the tropics without a good sun tan lotion. A couple of things to remember: Apply in the morning before going on the excursion, and then additional thin coats periodically. If you go in the water, be sure to apply another coat. Even if the weather is cloudy, be sure to apply it. Use a factor 30 or higher if you are out the whole day.
Should you go to an Eco Lodge with excursions all day long you need Sunscreen.

Wristwatches
If you normally wear an expensive wristwatch, by all means leave it at home and procure an inexpensive watch. Several reasons: Insect and sun screen lotions ruins crystal. Furthermore, valuable watches attract thieves. Leave costly jewelry at home!

Insect repellents
Even if the lodge brochure claims that insects are nonexistent in the area, take along a small canister of insect repellents.

Medicine
If you are under medication, take a copy of your prescription with you as well as the medicine. Don't put your medicine in checked luggage (which could be lost). If the medicine is extremely important, try to obtain two bottles. Put one in the carry-on bag and the other elsewhere. Two products that you may want to include are over-the-counter Imodium (for upset stomachs) and antibiotics such as Cipro (you'll need prescription).

Liquor & Cigarettes
It's best to obtain it at duty-free shops located at international airports of your departure or when arriving in Brazil. Yes, you still can buy for up to US$ 500 when entering the country. It's less expensive and shop will package it in small cartons. Important. When leaving Brazil again, you can buy the whole shop if you want. But you won't be able to get rid of any left over Reals (Brazilian Currency), so spend them before you go through the passport check. Though you are still in Brazil this money is not accepted in the international departure area of the airport. We have seen people losing their temper and tearing up their Reals - and they ended up in jail for destroying National Property.

Film and Photographic Items
If you are taking a lot of film and plan on putting it in your duffle, purchase Film Shield, available at most photo supply stores. The Film Shield pouch provides protection against X-ray inspections at airports. Some photographers claim that X-ray can fog film on a cumulative basis. If you want to avoid such speculation, develop the pictures within one hour. This service is offered in all cities and is very inexpensive compared to European Countries.

The surest, safest way to transport cameras is via a carry-on camera case. Remember to take along extra camera batteries!

Important:
If you are taking expensive, new cameras and accessories with you out of the country, make a list of all major items including serial numbers of camera bodies, lenses, motor drive units, etc…At U.S. international airports (before you depart for a trip) a customs official will stamp your list. Reason: You have definite proof that you purchased the equipment in the United States, and therefore not subject to any duties for foreign purchase. A purchase slip from U.S. photo store will also suffice. Another method would be to notarize the list of serial numbers before you leave for your trip. Most of the time customs officials don't check incoming passengers thoroughly but occasionally they do. Keep this list for future trips (attach it to your passport).

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Suggestion:
Take a number of small dollar bills with you (10 to 30). You'll need them for tips at the airport, hotel porters, etc. Very handy. In foreign countries, U.S.

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