travel secrets-to-europe---115pages

Travel Guide Secrets to Europe

© Tom Ellerbe-All Rights Reserved www.travelguidesecretseurope.com

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“The Travel Guide Secrets to Europe

You Are Not Suppose To Know”

By:

Tom Ellerbe



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Limit of Liability/ Disclaimer of Warranty:

The authors and publisher of this book and the accompanying materials have used their best efforts in preparing this program. The authors and publisher make no representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the contents of this program. They disclaim any warranties (expressed or implied”, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. The authors and publisher shall in no event be held liable for any loss or other damages. As always, the advice of a competent legal, tax, accounting or other professional should be sought. This manual contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents …………………………………………………………………..2

About the Author ……………………………………………………………………6

Introduction…………………………………………………………………………. 7

Planning the Trip……………………………………………………………………8

Travel Guides………………….………………………………………………..11

Welcome to Travel Reservations……………………………………………13

Manage Reward Programs…………………………………………………..14

Online Search & Travel Services……………………………………………15

Bargain fares for seniors and students……………………………………16

SeatGuru………………………………………………………………………...17

Check my Trip…………………………………………………………………..18

VIP Lounge Access…………………………………………………………….20

Hotel – Accommodations – Reservations………………………………….20

Home Exchange………………………………………………………. ……… 21

Holiday Cottages……………………………………………………………….22

Bed and Breakfasts……………………………………………………………23

Hostels……………………………………………………………………………23



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Trains……………………………………………………………………………..27

Cruises……………………………………………………………………………29

Rental Cars………………………………………………………………………30

Sightseeing Passes…………………………………………………………….35

How to prepare for Trip………………………………………………………….36

Travel Workbook……………………………………………………………….36

Language & Communication……………..………………………………….37

Metric System…………………………………………………………………..40

Dressing for Europe…………………………………………………………...44

International Weather…………………………………………………………47

Where to Buy Travel Stuff…………………………………………………….49

Travelling with Electronics…………………………………………………..50

Cell phones………………………………………………………………………53

Computers & Internet Cafes…………………………………………………55

Cameras and Photography…………………………………………………..57

Coffee in the Morning………………………………………………………….59

Baggage and Luggage………………………………………………………..61

Carry on baggage……………………………………………………………...62

Packing Secrets………………………………………………………………..64

Check list………………………………………………………………………...66

Check it or Carry on……………………………………………………………68

Health and Medications.………………………………………………………70

Coping with Jet Lag……………………………………………………………72

Where to Pick a Flower- Public restrooms………………………………..73

Laundry on the Road…………………………………………………………..74

Travel Snacks and Energy Bars…………………………………………….76

Home land Security..…………………………………………………………77

TSA (Transportation Security Administration)………………………..77

How to travel Safe..………………………………………………………..79



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Travel Insurance……………………………………………………………….81

Passport and US Customs………………………………………………….. 81

Execute Your Travel Plan………………………………………………………. .86

Your Money and Foreign Currency………………………………………..86

Tipping, shopping……………………………………………………………. 89

Connecting with Europe……………………………………………………..92

Airports………………………………………………………………………….95

Public Transportation..………………………………………………………96

GPS and Maps..………………………………………………………………..97

Summary…..………………………………………………………………………101

Resource Index..................................................................................102

Online Travel Services...…………………………………………………..102

Large Hotel Groups…………………………………………………………102

International Airlines……………………………………………………….104

Domestic Airlines……………………………………………………………108

Airline Alliances, consolidators, Charter tour operators……………108

Cruise Resources……………………………………………………………110

U.S. Embassies and Consulates in Europe…………………………….111

“Many receive advice, only the wise profit from it.”

-Syrus



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Hidden Travel Secrets

Cinque Terre Italy

“Find Paradise on the Italian Riviera”



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About the Author

Normandy, France

Tom Ellerbe

International Travel Writer and consultant

Member of ITWPA ( International Travel Writers & Photographers Alliance)

Member of PSA ( Photographic Society of America)

Worked as International Sales Manager for large Import Company

Owner of Import Export company /Western and Eastern Europe

Traveled to Europe for business and pleasure for over 30 years

Mail: Ellerbe Associates 27068 La Paz Road #486

Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 USA Telephone: (949) 395-0847

Email: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



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Introduction

How To Use Hot Secret Travel Tips

So You Can Travel To Europe Like a Native

And Make Your Trip The Most Intimate Ever

You are about to discover my Travel Secrets to Europe!

These tips are designed to provide a quick…. Condensed….

no-nonsense version…. that will make your trip a success

and allow you to feel like a native in the country you are

visiting. These techniques will benefit both business and

pleasure travelers.

“Chance favors the prepared mind.”

-Louis Pasteur



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Planning the Trip

In 1977, I was hired by a building materials Importer. My

first solo trip to Europe took me to Denmark, Sweden,

Germany, Italy and Spain.

The European Euro was not launched until January 1999. I

had to deal with: Swedish Krona…Danish Krone…Germany

Mark…Italian Lira…Spanish Peseta. After 4 weeks in

Europe, I returned to Los Angeles, California with a pocket

full of five different foreign currencies and some varied and

challenging experiences.

I decided to research and create good travel plans for all of

my future trips to Europe. Over the years I have perfected

the art of traveling. All my International trips are now as

easy or routine as taking a journey to Santa Barbara,

California.

Europe….Many travelers do not really understand or know

The Continent of Europe. It does not matter whether you

pedal, fly or drive, you’ll find a convenient and exciting way

to see Europe. One thing for sure, if this is your first trip to

Europe, you will fall in love.



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Europe has worked hard to make its territories and cities

accessible to everyone. In addition, they have devoted

considerable time and resources to ecology. If you would

like to visit cities while riding a bicycle, you will find more

of the major cities are renting bikes for hours or days,

sometimes even on a “help yourself” basis.

Modern tramways are now becoming popular in places that

had stopped using them. Large tourist areas are equipped

with multilingual audio-guides, so you can enjoy your visits

to historical or cultural sites without missing any details.

Hotels are following trends today such as offering internet

connections and safes in their rooms. European travel has

changed over the past years and is very friendly and

enticing to foreign travelers.

Each country has its own influence based upon the

historical backgrounds. There is so much variety in

architecture, cuisine, customs, music, dress, dialect and

language.

In the old days you could relax in your local travel agency

while they searched for the best deals. Now, the internet



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is a great source of information, but unless you have a

system, this can be overwhelming. You can spend many

long hours and still not find the best deal.

You can Google “Travel Guides” and find over 120,000,000

results. There are many billions of dollars spent each year

in this industry alone. The vast amount of information

available can be very confusing.

Your first major decision is trying to decide where to go.

My efforts in this EBook concentrate on European travel. It

is impossible to cover the entire world with general

information.

David



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Travel Guides

Rick Steves’ Travel Guides are the very best money can

buy. Rick has been traveling to Europe since 1973

years and spends up to 4 months every year updating and

collecting new information.

The information provided will evaluate the most important

activities and sights in the European destination that you

have chosen.

You can find current copies of Rick Steves’ books listed on

Amazon and in leading book stores.

Welcome to Travel Reservations

On any given flight, passengers in the same section of the

plane are paying a wide range of airfares, with some

paying twice what others pay. Due to the current economy

Worldwide, all the airlines are struggling with a decrease in

passengers and fuel and other increases. You can find

many bargains today!



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Airfare costs can be influenced by many variables, such as

where you bought your ticket, how far in advance you

booked, how you planned your route and what dates and

days of the week you are traveling.

In the end, the price that you are paying for your seat has

little to do with how many miles you are flying.

Today you have much more information on travel at your

fingertips than a few years ago and this has put you as a

traveler, in a better position than ever before.

But, finding the best travel deal is an “ever moving target”.

Many of the methods used years ago don’t work any more

and this information must constantly be updated.

The most important thing to remember with any travel

booking is that flexibility means savings. If you can move

your travel dates, departure times, and itinerary---even

just a little---there will be a lot more fares open to you.

Most airlines are very competitive on the same routes. The

trick in getting the best deals is not finding the best airline

for the route, but finding the specific times and routings

that offer the lowest fare.



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THESE TIPS CAN HELP SAVE YOU SOME MONEY

Be as flexible as possible: Be willing to fly with

any airline, on any given day.

Don’t wait until the last minute-plan ahead:

Some Airlines offer early bird discounts on

reservations made up to three months in advance.

Consider flying to alternate airports: You can

get cheaper flights by flying to secondary or new

airport hubs. (Fly to Munich in lieu of Frankfurt)

Think about going during the ―shoulder‖

season: This is the period of time just before and

just after the peak season. Aside from ski season,

Easter, Saint Patrick’s Day-Ireland and

Oktoberfest, the shoulder season in Europe is April,

May, September and October.

The week after Thanksgiving and New Years

are dead weeks but weather is also a factor.



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Pick the off-season: Know the time of season

that is off-season at your destination and this can

save you money, not only with airlines, but Hotels,

cars and just about everything else.

The off-season in Europe is from November

through March.

Check Foreign newspapers: The travel sections

of foreign newspapers advertise discount fares to

just about anywhere in the World. British

newspapers are the most aggressive as almost

every major airline that goes to Europe from the

US also flies to London.

Note: Even if you do use a travel agency to book your

reservations, these same principles will help you and the

agency, find savings for your trip. However, you will find

that you can plan and coordinate the trip by yourself!

Manage Reward Programs

There is an interesting site where you can manage all your

travel rewards programs. You can swap, redeem or track

miles and points balances in one place. This is a free

membership site where you can buy or exchange your



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travel rewards…a great idea when you have multiple

awards

programs! Link to rewards site: www.points.com

Online Search &Travel Services

A web-based travel service is basically an online travel

agency, where you can book airline tickets, hotels, rental

cars, and vacation packages.

They can sell bookings on most airlines, hotels, and rental

car agencies. Here is a list of quality proven full service

travel websites. I have listed several travel sights that do

offer excellent customer service and great competitive

prices with special savings. (A complete listing can be

found in the Resource Index)

Links to Web-Based Travel Services

www.accorhotels.com

www.cheapostay.com

www.DHR.com

www.cheapostay.com

www.tripadvisor.com

www.vayama.com

http://www.points.com/

http://www.accorhotels.com/

http://www.cheapostay.com/

http://www.dhr.com/


http://www.tripadvisor.com/

http://www.vayama.com/



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A Travel search engine is an Internet service that

searches multiple airline websites and even web-based

travel services, looking for the best available rate among

hundreds of resources.

Travel search engines normally don’t sell tickets

themselves, but route you directly to the airline where you

can book the reservations and purchase the tickets. These

are good places to do comparative shopping.

Bargain Fares for seniors and Students

If you are a senior citizen, a student, or under 26 years of

age, you may benefit from discount rates and special offers

when you travel.

Senior citizens

Senior discounts were once a great way to cut the cost of

an airline ticket. But today, it seems that the seniors

programs are either falling by the wayside or not offering

any particular advantage.

Youth programs



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A child under the age of 12 may be eligible for discounted

travel, depending on the airline. If the child is traveling

with an adult paying full fare, discounts can be 25% to

50%. Here is couple of online youth travel resources.

Student Universe: studentuniverse.com

STA Travel statravel

Seat Guru

This is a great free site! You look up the name of the

airline, and it will show you the specific data on the make

and model of the aircraft they are using for this specific

flight. You will find a wealth of information including

Number of seats in First, business and economy along with

important data on audio, video, AC power, food and infants.

Location of Galley and lavatories and emergency exit doors

are also well marked.

All Seats are Color Keyed

Green color-good seat

Green and yellow-good seat for some

Yellow-Be aware

Red-Poor Seat

http://www.studentuniverse.com/

http://www.statravel.com/



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Link to Seat Guru: seatguru.com

Example: Lufthansa flies from Los Angeles, CA to

Frankfurt, Germany. Flight number LH457 is a Boeing 747-

400.

Go to Seat Guru: seatguru.com

Find Lufthansa Airlines

Find a Boeing 747-400

Put your mouse on seats 56 D

Notice this seat is color keyed red

Review: Seats 56, D, E, F, G may have limited recline due

to the wall behind and the proximity of the lavatories and

the gallery may be bothersome.

Now, book your flight and make your selection either

directly with the airline or online with full knowledge

of the seats to avoid and the good ones to select.

Check My Trip

Another good site! After your reservation is confirmed, you

will find that all your reservation data has been posted to

this independent website.

http://www.seatguru.com/

http://www.seatguru.com/



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Check My Trip: checkmytrip.com

Put your reservation number and passenger last name in

the boxes and the following data is given: The reservation

data is updated automatically as you make changes.

Booking Reservation number

E-ticket or ticket numbers

Confirmation number from Airline Company

Details of your flight…departure and arrival time

Details of when you should check in

Flight notes and specifics (class, meals, seat selection)

Destination information…weather at arrival airport

Just prior to your departure, you can download the

latest data and carry a printed copy with you. All

important itemized details of your flights are listed

here in one place. This is a free service website!

Here is another great free website: www.tripit.com you

can send all your reservations and confirmations of air,

auto and hotel and they will organize for you and send a

confirmation email for your records.

http://www.checkmytrip.com/

http://www.tripit.com/



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Vip Lounge Access

Priority Pass provides airport Vip Lounge access

irrespective of which you are flying with, what class you

are traveling in, or whether you belong to a lounge

program. This is a membership website. If you do a lot of

traveling, this site is worth checking out. There is access

to over 500 airport VIP Lounges in 90 countries in over 275

cities. Priority Pass: prioritypass.com

Hotel – Accommodations - Reservations

All the large hotel groups that are represented in Europe

have connections with Frequent Flyer programs. The

following is a list of some of the better hotel booking

companies with outstanding prices and deals in Europe.

Links to Web-Based Hotel Travel Services

www.accorhotels.com

www.cheapostay.com

www.DHR.com

www.cheapostay.com

www.tripadvisor.com

www.vayama.com

http://www.jdoqocy.com/r779xdmjdl042A7A530214A4624

http://www.accorhotels.com/


http://www.dhr.com/






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Home Exchange

Home Exchange is the vacation alternative membership

site…. where you stay in my house and I stay in yours.

There are two types of exchanges: Home exchange and

Hospitality exchange.

Home exchangers trade their homes, condominiums or

apartments at a time that is convenient to both parties, but

these are not the only types of accommodations that one

gets to choose from. For example; one exchanger traded

his home for a 40-foot yacht. Another couple swapped their

villa in Italy for a RV in Oregon because they had always

wanted to tour the U.S. in true nomadic style. Often, home

exchangers will include their automobiles as part of the

package.

Hospitality exchangers, on the other hand, host each

other in their homes at designated times. Your home

exchange partners stay with you as guests and then you go

and stay with them as their guests. There is a social aspect

to this kind of exchange that some exchangers particularly

enjoy. Conceivably, you also get a built-in tour guide with

this mode of exchange.



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If the idea of home exchange is unfamiliar to you, or even

a bit frightening, rest assured -- there are 250,000+

successful home exchanges every year. To learn more visit

the following site.

HomeForExchange

Holiday Cottages

Get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and back to

nature. Find a charming holiday villa country cottage in

Europe. Accommodations range from castles to country

houses, farms to mills and from villas to chalets.

There are more than 6,000 holiday cottages in Belgium,

France, Great Britain, The Netherlands, Austria,

Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Croatia,

Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Denmark and

Turkey.

There are stylish mansions and castles for family reunions,

weekends with friends and family, staff outings, wedding

parties and other events from couples to large groups.

Belvilla Holiday Homes: www.belvilla.co.uk

http://www.homeforexchange.com/

http://www.belvilla.co.uk/



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Bed and Breakfasts

This is a good way to stretch the dollar….Many are found in

smaller towns and rural areas. You will find more cultural

intimacy for much less money than most hotel rooms. You

may not have some of the hotel conveniences but the extra

charm and savings can make a good tradeoff. The

following website has good international information on

Bed and Breakfasts.

International Bed and Breakfasts: bedandbreakfast.com

Hostels Hostels are inexpensive and cater to travelers of any age.

They offer dorm style accommodations with cheap meals or

kitchen facilities. You can expect youth groups in the

spring and crowds in the summer. The following sight has

facts on international Hostels.

International Hostels: hostelworld.com

There are some weird and interesting hostels around the

world. Some are located in old prisons, water pump

stations and some in trees!

http://www.tkqlhce.com/gt97shqnhp487E5A58465AEC95A

http://www.hostelworld.com/



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The large hotel groups are easy to communicate with and

offer excellent online reservations, but when contacting

smaller hotels, I suggest sending email or fax in very

simple English language. It works better than calling,

especially if the person at the hotel does not understand

English.

Tips for Making Reservations Direct With Smaller

Hotels

When making Reservations to smaller hotels: Be sure to

State exactly what you are requesting. Type of room you

are requesting (double 2 beds or queen) arrival and

departure dates, toilet and bath, Ocean view with balcony if

applicable.

You need to be very specific in order to get the good rooms

reserved before your arrival. The choice of good rooms is

always limited.

(I have used the following Form for many years)



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Hotel Form for email or fax

Hotel__________________________City/Country_______________

email/fax________________________________________________

From: __________________________________________________

Email/fax ___________________________________________

Date (day/month/year) ____/____/____

Attention Hotel _______________________________________

Please book the following reservation:

Name: ______________________________________________

People: ________ Rooms: _____ Number of nights: ____

Arriving: (day/month/year) ____/____/____

Time of arrival (24-hour clock): _______

Departing: (day/month/year) ____/____/____

Room(s): Single ____ Double ____ Twin _____ Triple _____ Larger ____

With: Toilet ____ Shower ____ Bath ____ Sink only ____

Special needs: View ____ Quiet ____ Ground Floor ____

Mail or fax confirmation of my reservation, along with the type of room reserved along with the price. Please include your cancellation

policy. Please advice as soon as possible. Thank you

You will receive a response and be asked to furnish a credit card number to confirm the reservation.



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I usually send this data via fax for security reasons. Most

all European hotels have email and fax numbers listed in

the travel guides or on their websites. If English is not well

understood, this is a better way to make sure that your

needs are well known.

Note: If you need to place a phone call to a European

destination, please refer to the world clock website and

bookmark it. This site will not only give you the correct

time anywhere in the World but has a section on

international dialing for telephone calls. You can find all

country and city telephone codes listed on the left under

other planning tools.

Time and Date: timeanddate.com

Let’s say you are trying to call the Hotel Santa Lucia in

Venice, Italy from Aliso Viejo, California USA. The phone

number is listed as 39 41 715180.

Step 1 International Call Prefix from the USA to Europe (011)

Step 2 Country Code (39) Step 3 City Code area code (41) Step 4 Local Number (715180) Step 5 Dial Number (011 39 41 715180)

http://www.timeanddate.com/



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Note of caution: Sometimes you will see a 0 in front of the

city code listed on the hotel website or advertisement. This

is for local calls within the country and if you are calling

from the USA you do not need the 0.

Trains

European trains have kept pace with technology without

losing any of their charm and romance. 21st Century

travelers find it quick, easy, comfortable and even

luxurious to travel over land by train to just about

anywhere in Europe.

Just a decade ago the Channel Tunnel – a marvel of

modern engineering – fulfilled the dream of a ground link

between Britain and continental Europe.



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Today, the capital cities of Paris, London and Brussels are

connected by the sleek and swift Eurostar, which has raised

the bar on rail travel.

Besides the high-speed trains, travelers will find many

other kinds of conventional trains to choose from that not

only get you there but also enrich your journey.

Public transportation is the fastest, most efficient and cost-

effective way to get around Europe.

Traveling by train in Europe is a quality experience. The

system is well organized and simple to use. For more than

60 years, Rail Europe has been showing North Americans

what Europeans have known all along: the best way to

travel in Europe is on the train.

I have always purchased my rail passes, tickets and

confirmed reservations direct through Rail Europe. You

can get prices, rail passes, rail/drive packages, book

sleepers and all necessary information about rail travel.

Be sure to check out the “rail pass” and look at the savings

versus buying train tickets. The site is easy to use and

navigate. The schedules are accurate and kept up to date.

Rail Europe: raileurope.com

http://www.jdoqocy.com/iq79bksgor597FCFA857B76DBD



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Cruises

There are many nice options to take advantage of when

arriving in Europe. You can add a cruise to a famous

destination.

Cruise Direct has been in business for a long time and has

a great reputation for cheap price packages…for all the

cruise lines and destinations in Europe. Take a look at

their site and view the European Cruise deals.

Cruise Direct: cruisedirect.com

http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-3196942-8331181



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Rental Cars

Ford - France

If you plan to rent or lease a car in Europe I recommend

that you get an International drivers License. This is

available from a (AAA auto club office) for a small fee.

In Some countries like Italy, you are not able to rent

without the International Drivers license. This is very easy

to get if you have a current drivers license. Some

countries have age restrictions for young and seasoned

travelers, so be sure and do some research.

Link to AAA Travel website: InternationalDrivingPermit

http://www.aaa-calif.com/apps/travel/tips/resourcedetail.aspx?cat=International%20Driving%20Permit&OID=62331



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Cars work best for three or more traveling together and

when you are packing lots of baggage. This is also the

best way to see the countryside.

I highly recommend Auto Europe (rental brokers). This

company is located in Portland Maine and they will find the

best discounted rentals worldwide and have outstanding

customer service 24/7.

They reserve a car for you and set up a very efficient

voucher system that holds the car for you. The website is

very easy to use and their insurance recommendations are

clear and absolute. Also be sure to check with your credit

card company for insurance coverage programs.

When booking you pay a percentage of the price (50% -

100% - depends on the country where you are picking up

the car) and the rest is charged either when you pick up or

drop off the rental.

Don't worry about this pre-payment; you can cancel your

reservation and get a full refund or return your car early

and be refunded the unused days. If you have booked with

AutoEurope and you have any problems with your car,

call the toll free number they provide and let them deal

with it for you...



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This company has a good reputation and is very customer

service oriented. They provide plenty of business to the

rental agencies and this gives them the clout to deal with

problems on your behalf.

You must use a credit card and not an ATM card. The

credit card must be the same name as the actual driver. If

there are additional drivers, there is an extra charge.

Auto Europe: autoeurope.com

Auto Europe Fax: (207) 842-2222 Reservations: 1 800-223-5555 39 Commercial Street P.O. Box 7006

Portland, Maine 04112-7006 Phone: (207) 842-2000 Fax: (207) 842-2222 Reservations: 1 800-223-5555

Europe takes alcohol limits for drivers very seriously. These

restrictions are aimed at reminding travelers to drink

responsibly. The bottom line is the same as in the U.S.

―Don’t Drink and Drive‖!

Europe’s Blood Alcohol Concentration limit for drivers

generally ranges from 0.02 to 0.08. Expect zero tolerance

http://www.autoeurope.com/index.cfm?aff=tomeltravel



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in Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia

and Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

Gas or “petro” is one area which travelers will immediately

understand why Europeans favor smaller compact cars with

manual transmissions, the cost of fuel and the small

medieval narrow alleys in Europe favor compact cars.

Gas costs in Europe range from $10.00 to $12.00 dollars

per gallon. Before you hit the road, ask the car rental

personnel to familiarize you with the car.

I mention this as the rental agencies are always very busy

and like to just hand you the keys and paperwork and let

you figure things out. These are foreign cars and the

systems are different than what we are use to in the USA.

If you do have car damage or involved in an accident,

follow all the procedures given to you. A good idea also is

to take photos of any damage to your or the other car.

Insurance and liability varies from country to country. The

European roads are filled with visitors from all countries.

Make sure you understand the alarm system (so you don’t

lock yourself out). Become familiar with the type of “petro”

or gasoline your car needs and what is the local “petro”

called at the service station.



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In France diesel is called “gazole” or gas-oil, leaded petrol

(super) and unleaded (sans plomb). Filling up the tank is

called “faire le plein”.

Some additional tips for renting and driving in Europe:

Auto pick up and returns from Airports is very similar to

the USA but train stations are much more of a challenge as

rental agencies are not always located at the train stations,

but a short distance away.

Take printed copies of GoogleMaps for airport and train pickups and return locations.

Be familiar with the local road signs. You can Google road

signs or symbols: Italy, France, United Kingdom or other

destinations. Study these and take a copy with you when

you travel by car.

You just need to know the basics so you can travel within

the law and not get lost. Your first time on the motorway

is not the place to learn.

I would suggest that you purchase a Tourist and Motoring

Atlas for the Countries that you will be driving through.

maps.com is a great online website that carries over

25,000 maps and related products and have everything

you need for international travel.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&utm_campaign=en&utm_source=en-ha-na-us-google-gm&utm_medium=ha&utm_term=maps

http://www.jdoqocy.com/li122xfnbjm042A7A5306A6A1A



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Maps Dot Com: maps.com

When you use the toll roads in Europe, be sure to become

acquainted with the exit signs, the toll stations and how to

pay. They do take credit cards in most countries and you

need to know which lane to be in.

In a 50 mile run, you might have 10 toll stops. Keep plenty

of Euros in change as tolls can add up. Make sure you are

prepared!

Michelin maps: Amazon

Sightseeing Passes

Save on sightseeing with the London and Paris pass.

This is a sightseeing card that gives holder free entry to

over 55 sights in London and 60 in Paris. You can visit as

many attractions as you want…avoid waiting in lines with

the fast track entry… save 100’s of dollars on entrance fees.

The passes can be ordered online and delivered to you

prior to your departure to Europe. If you are visiting

London and or Paris, this card makes lots of sense for all

the right reasons.

London Pass: londonpass.com

http://www.jdoqocy.com/li122xfnbjm042A7A5306A6A1A

http://www.kqzyfj.com/d074qiqemp375DAD86396D587



36

Paris Pass: parispass.com

The British Heritage pass enables free entry to nearly

600 attractions around England, Scotland, Wales and

Northern Ireland including Stonehenge, Edinburgh Castle,

the Roman Baths, Shakespeare’s Birthplace and more….

.

British Heritage Pass: britishheritagepass.com

How to Prepare for Trip

Travel Workbook

A well organized workbook in a binder will save you lots of

headaches.

You also want to keep in mind the size, weight and bulk of

this notebook. (The lighter the better)

Workbook Contents

Calendar- Complete travel schedule on cover of

notebook.

Flight- Airline confirmations and airport info & maps

http://www.dpbolvw.net/d481klthps6A8GDGB9687BFDCA7

http://www.anrdoezrs.net/5k117mw3s-2HLJRORMKHJIMLOMOL



37

Auto- Vouchers and Confirmations, insurance

paperwork

Document Section- International Drivers License etc.

Maps and Road Signs- Google maps and printed

road signs

Train- Rail passes and schedules

Metro Subway- Information and maps

Hotel and Restaurant Data- Confirmations and

information

Miscellaneous- Cell phone, ATM, charts and copies of

documents

Map Holder Case- A three week trip could have 10-

15 maps

Language & Communications

If you want to learn the basics of a foreign language, I

would suggest RosettaStone.

RosettaStoneLanguages

www.walkabouttravelgear.com

http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=%2Fgp%2Fsearch%3Ffield-keywords%3Drosetta%20stone%26sprefix%3Dro%26url%3Dsearch-alias%3Dsoftware%26ref%5F%3Dnb%5Fss%5Fgw%5F0%5F2&tag=travsecrtoeur-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957

http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/



38

This is a fun and efficient way to understand and learn a

new language.

You do not need to learn the native language to survive,

but it is good to know at least some common phrases. I

personally studied French and Italian using Rosetta Stone

and had great results. This knowledge has helped me read

road signs in these countries when I rent autos!

You will get friendly smiles when you attempt the

pleasantries. It does not matter that you do not pronounce

the words correctly but the fact that you try is the main

point that is most appreciated by the Europeans.

Many Americans have a bad habit of not trying to speak

foreign languages.

The major towns in the tourist trade areas speak some

English but in the smaller non-tourist towns, the native

language is more common. Book stores also carry small

pocket dictionaries for most of the most common foreign

languages.



39

Main Languages by Country

Austria – German Belgium – Dutch, French and German Britain – English Bulgaria – Bulgarian Croatia – Croatian Cyprus – Greek, Turkish, English Czech Republic – Czech Denmark – Danish Estonia – Estonian

Finland – Finnish and Swedish France – French Germany – German Greece – Greek Holland – Dutch Hungary – Hungarian Iceland – Icelandic Ireland – English Italy – Italian Latvia – Latvian Lithuania – Lithuanian Luxembourg – French, German, Luxembourgish Malta – Maltese and English Monaco – French Norway – Norwegian Poland – Polish Portugal – Portuguese Romania – Romanian Slovakia – Slovak Slovenia – Slovene Spain – Spanish Sweden – Swedish Switzerland – German, French and Italian Turkey – Turkish Ukraine – Ukrainian



40

Ask the concierge or desk manager at your hotel to write

directions in the local language on the back of the hotel’s

business card or stationery. This will insure that you will

be able to find your way back to the hotel

Tip: Speak English in a slow, clear manner. Use very

simple English words and phrases and try not to use any

slang. This will make your English language much easier

for the Europeans to understand.

Metric System

Measurements are what keep us all sane. From small to

large scale calibrations, we rely on a variety of

measurements every time we make a purchase, eat a meal,

or simply get in our car and drive.

The U.S. is one of the few countries that have not

embraced the metric system for everyday use, even

though it has been part of our school curriculum since the

1960’s.

This conversion, from our system of feet, pounds, quarts,

etc. to the metric system of meters, grams and liters, is



41

probably the single most important inconsistency that we

are constantly faced with.

Europe uses the metric system and you need to be able to

know how to convert everything from the metric system to

what we understand in our weights and measures tables.

Note: A quick formula to change kilometers to miles:

Cut the kilometers in half and add 10 percent of the

original (120 km= 60 + 12 = 72 miles).

The following charts will help you make these conversions

and I suggest you make copies and include in your travel

workbook. I have also listed a metric conversion calculator

for those who like to invest in new “tech toys”.



42

Metric Conversion Chart by Gabriel

This is a convenient little chart I picked up somewhere. Simply follow the chart and it's simple to convert from one measurement to the other.

When you know: inches feet yards miles centimeters meters kilometers ounces pounds short tons grams kilograms metric tons fluid ounces pints, US pints, Imp. quarts, US quarts, Imp. gallons, US gallons, Imp. milliliters liters liters liters liters liters liters

Multiply by: 25 30 0.9 1.6 0.393 1.1 0.6 28 0.45 0.9 0.035 2.2 1.1 30 0.47 .568 0.95 1.137 3.8 4.546 0.034 2.1 1.76 1.06 0.88 0.26 0.22

To find: millimeters centimeters meters kilometers inches yards miles grams kilograms metric tons ounces pounds short tons milliliters liters liters liters liters liters liters fluid ounce pints, US pints, Imp. quarts, US quarts, Imp. gallons, US gallons, Imp.

Metric Units American Units

100 grams 3.53 ounces

1 kilogram 2.20 pounds

1 liter 1.07 quart

1 centimeter 0.39 inches

1 meter 1.09 yards

1 kilometer 0.62 miles

American Units Metric Units

1 ounce 28.35 g

1 pound 453.59 grams

mailto:[email protected]



43

1 gallon 3.79 liters

1 inch 2.54 centimeters

1 foot 30.48 centimeters

1 mile 1.61 kilometers

Miles Per Hour Kilometers Per Hour

20 32.2

30 48.3

40 64.4

50 80.5

60 96.6

70 112.7

Kilometers Per Hour Miles Per Hour

30 18.6

40 24.8

50 31.0

60 37.2

70 43.4

80 49.6

90 55.8

100 62.0

110 68.2

120 74.4

For those of us who like to have electronic toys, I would

suggest a Metric Conversion Calculator.

Link Metric Calculator on Amazon: metricCalculator

http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=%2Fgp%2Fsearch%3Ffield-keywords%3Dmetric%20conversion%20calculator%26sprefix%3Dmetric%26url%3Dsearch-alias%3Daps%26ref%5F%3Dnb%5Fss%5Fgw%5F5%5F6&tag=travsecrtoeur-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957



44

Dressing for Europe

Politics, economics and international terror have changed

our world.

You want to avoid looking like a typical American tourist.

Wearing a bright Hawaiian shirt with a camera hanging

around your neck will certainly attract or draw attention

from pickpockets, thieves and other evils.

Try to blend in and look and act like a European. Do not

wear bright colors and the latest fashions. The clothes I

wear in Europe are almost never worn in the USA. Most

Europeans dress in plain natural colors.

Use Basic pastel shirts tops and sweaters with black, brown,

blue or grey. Try not to stand out! When you use

neutral colors it is easier to mix and match your clothes

and reduce the wardrobe that must take with you.

You need to become very efficient working with colors,

materials and most clothing issues. Taking more clothes

than necessary is always the issue here! (This is also one

of my great struggles when I prepare to travel).



45

Find light weight and loose fitting garments and travel with

comfortable shoes. Americans tend to dress very casual.

Do not wear tennis or athletic shoes unless you are hiking.

You should always be in the mindset of packing and

traveling light. Most clothing stores sell all types of

garments made with lightweight, moisture absorbent

“Microfiber” materials. These items will also dry quickly

overnight when you do laundry.

Invest in shoes that are comfortable….and can be used for

both casual and dress. Make sure they have rubber soles

and some traction for the wet climates in Europe. Do not

wear shoes with leather soles.

Many of the areas that you will travel in Europe have

cobble stone streets that have been around for hundreds

and thousands of years.

These walkways have lots of character but are difficult to

walk on for periods of time. I suggest shoes with very

thick soles. You will feel the sharp points of the

cobblestone streets if you wear soft or thin soled shoes.

Here is where you need to make the decision to feel good

not look good! You can do both if you shop right. The



46

choice of comfortable walking shoes will be one of the most

important decisions you can make. You will do lots of

walking in Europe. If you are not in shape or prepared, it

will be a real challenge.

A shoe that is highly recommended is SAS (San Antonio

Shoes) These are carried by many retailers and are

available in Factory Outlet stores across the country.

These shoes are not sold online by the manufacturer but

many other shoe retailers list the shoes on their online

sites.

Hats and Caps

I purchase my European style hats online and have three

or four that I travel with. I do not wear “baseball” caps in

Europe!





47

International Weather

Always be aware of the time of year you travel and be

prepared for the right temperatures and climate changes.

Dress in layers with light sweaters and tops and be able to

adapt to variations in the weather.

Make sure you carry an umbrella, light raincoat with

removable liner and an extra sweater in the fall and spring.

The weather can be unpredictable.

Northern Europe – Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway

and Sweden – have a moderate, pleasant climate. Above

the Arctic Circle, winter can be crisp and cold.

In the southern part of the region, winter is generally mild

with average temperatures about 32° Fahrenheit, leaving

summers comfortable as temperatures seldom reach the

80s.

The Midnight Sun in summer is visible 24 hours a day in

the northernmost regions of these countries.

The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) can be observed in

the sky over the most Northern parts of the world nearest

the Arctic Circle from September through March.



48

Central and Eastern Europe – Austria, Bulgaria, the

Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Latvia,

Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia,

Switzerland and Ukraine – enjoy moderate cool summers

with temperatures hovering in the high 70s and cold,

cloudy, humid winters.

This area enjoys four distinct seasons including mountain

snowfall and moderate to warm summers.

Western Europe – Belgium, Britain, France, Holland,

Ireland and Luxembourg – experiences mild maritime

winters with cold snaps more towards the east and heavier

rainfall in the west. Summers are moderate and cooler as

you move north.

Southern and Mediterranean Europe – Croatia, Cyprus,

southern France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Monaco, Portugal,

Spain and Turkey – bask in sunshine during most of the

year. The winters tend to be mild while summers are hot

and dry (much like southern California), with some rain in

autumn and spring.

European countries measure temperature in Celsius

(Centigrade) rather than Fahrenheit. A quick way to

convert Celsius to Fahrenheit: Double the temperature in

Celsius and add 30 to this number.



49

Example: 20°C = 40+ 30 = about 70°F

You can expect lighter crowds in late spring or fall as the

weather is generally good but can be erratic. In the

summer you have reliable weather but crowds and long

lines develop at tourist sights. European weather can

change quickly and often.

International weather site: weatherReports.com

Where to Buy Travel Stuff

International travel is becoming more popular as “Baby

Boomers” with discretionary money, retire and expand the

travel industry.

The tourism market is over a trillion dollar a year industry.

There are over 22,650 magazines published in the U.S.

each year and 645 are devoted just to travel and tourism.

Travel products are found in most department, athletic,

drug, office supply, grocery and discount stores. (TSA

approved 3 ounces or less for approved carry-on sizes)

http://www.weatherreports.com/



50

The following sites have an extensive line of travel

accessories that can be purchased on line. Click on the

following sites and go to the “Travel Accessories” section.


www.amazon.com

www.luggageguy.co

www.luggageonline.com

www.ebags.com

www.bagsok.com

Minimus specializes in individual travel sizes for many

categories such as food, coffee, cream, personal care,

pharmacy, care kits, domestics and much more. This

company has been featured in many major media outlets.

Minimus.biz: minimus.biz

Traveling with Electronics

There is no question...travelling with electrical appliances

can be a struggle...takes up luggage space...blows out

international hotel fuses...find few electrical outlets.

European hotels get blackouts when Americans plug in


http://www.amazon.com/

http://www.luggageguy.co/

http://www.luggageonline.com/

http://www.ebags.com/

http://www.bagsok.com/

http://www.minimus.biz/

http://www.minimus.biz/default.aspx?Affiliate=655



51

110V hair dryers to the 220V European systems without

converters.

Outside of a battery-powered flashlight, shaver and alarm

clock...the rest of your travel accessories will need

electrical power.

Each country has its own solutions to phone access

and electrical power.

In Europe you must consider the socket shape and

voltage...you need a converter and adapter plug before you

can use your appliances. Europe uses a much higher

electrical voltage than the USA...usually 220V at 50 Hz or

double the power for the U.S. which is 110V at 60 Hz. The

exceptions are Britain, Northern Ireland, Malta and

Cyprus...they use 240V at 50 Hz.

Most of the new appliances for travel, have built in

converters for dual use. You can check the label for the

range of voltage available for various units. This would

cover hair dryers, electric shavers, cameras/camcorders,

digital cameras and laptops. You still need the correct

adapter plug for the European wall sockets. If you can

make sure you have dual voltage units, you can reduce the

use of converters.



52

You might be travelling with a large variety of electrical

appliances. Make sure you have enough converters and/or

adapters in case you are charging or using multiple units at

the same time. It is not unusual to be charging cell phones,

cameras and laptops during the night. It is a good idea to

bring extra adapter plugs for the countries you will be

travelling to

Most European hotels have few electrical outlets...bring an

extension cord with additional electrical outlets. If you are

travelling with a partner, it is not unusual to have two cell

phones, two cameras and one laptop charging at the same

time.

List of electrical devices

Electric shavers

Curling irons

Hair dryers

Cell Phone chargers

Hot water devices (coffee & tea)

Camera chargers

Travel irons

Laptops and iPods

Check to make sure you have the correct international jack



53

for your laptop along with long cords. You can find a good

selection of electrical converters, adapters and other

equipment at Radio Shack, department stores, office

supply and discount houses. Spend the time researching

your electical needs and be prepared to solve most

electrical plug needs. Make sure you need any electrical

device you take with you.

www.amazon.com


www.ebags.com

Cell Phones

There are good reasons to carry a cell phone….so you can

stay in touch with other travelers during the day and with

friends and family back home. Some accommodations do

not have telephones (hostels, apartment rentals and some

hotels) Using hotel phones can also be costly. Traveling

with a cell phone can be very cost-efficient.

You need to do good research and see what your best

options are. The wrong choices are very expensive!

http://www.amazon.com/


http://www.ebags.com/



54

You should contact your cell phone provider to learn how

you can use your cell phone in Europe. You may need an

additional international chip or card.

You might need to subscribe to a supplemental

international service option with your cell phone company.

You will pay very large amounts for roaming charges if you

are not using the right process or system. Europe has

excellent facilities and good range and coverage for cell

phones.

One of the most cost Effective ways to stay in touch

when travelling abroad is the ―Mobal World Phone‖.

The MobalWorldPhone works in 190 countries, and has

no monthly fees. It has been recommended by the Wall

Street Journal, Time Magazine, INC, MSN, Budget Travel,

Frommer’s and the Washington Post. If you are planning

to go overseas, it works out cheaper to buy a Mobal World

Phone that requires no monthly fee or recurring charges

and it is much cheaper than renting an international cell

phone or buying a sim card. The current phone prices start

at $29.00 for 170 countries and $69.00 for 190 countries.

Do the math and to see this is the cheapest, easiest and

most convenient way to go. There is a EuropeanCellPhone

that costs $19.00 and is .79 per minute with no other

charges.

http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=81116&u=303806&m=12460&urllink=&afftrack



55

You have better reception and connections as Mobal World

Phones use the local system in the area you are travelling.

System automatically routes your calls to the strongest

local carrier.

You get your own international cell phone and number for

life….it does not matter where in the world you are…your

friends, family and colleagues always dial the same number

to reach you. This is some of the best worldwide coverage.

When you return home from your international trip…put the

phone in your drawer and wait for your next trip. There

are no monthly fees…just pay for your usage while you

travel. To learn more, see Mobal website:

Mobal GSM World Phone: MobalWorldPhone

Computers & Internet Cafes

Internet cafes are found all over Europe. Large cities are being

joined by small villages…with the growing cyber epidemic. You will

have no trouble staying in contact via internet while travelling in

Europe.

Make sure you understand the internet café system they are using.

Many of the keyboards may be difficult to use...some keyboards have

a European set of keys and you need to know how to use them.

http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=81116&u=303806&m=12460&urllink=&afftrack



56

Hotels can offer a computer station for a fee. Libraries and

universities can provide free internet access.

The new ipads are very convenient to travel with, but you need to

make sure to check with your provider as the costs to operate them

in Europe, can be very expensive.

This same advice applies to iphone users who want to access their

email accounts while travelling. Get an (easy access) email account

like…gmail…yahoo…hotmail…to use while you travel across Europe.

If you do not need your laptop…leave it at home. Airline carry-on

restrictions and laptop safety make taking your laptop a real

challenge.

Laptop notes:

Bring a set of plugs and telephone adapters and converters. Europe

operates like the U.S. with free internet service providers (ISP’s).

Wireless connections are found in hotels, restaurants, bookstores and

public areas.

Dell computer has a list of technical requirements and components

for international use for laptop usage in Europe and on aircraft.

Good electronics site: www.traveaboutgear.com

Free ISP websites for Europe: www.nopayweb.com

www.ezilon.com

http://www.nopayweb.com/

http://www.ezilon.com/



57

Cameras and photography

Digital photography makes our picture taking process much

easier. You can carry a small point and shoot camera or a

complex SLR with multiple lenses and take over 500-1000

photos in a few weeks. You need to be organized and

prepared.

Take extra maximum capacity SD or Flash cards

You can download photos daily to your laptop

Carry reporter type backpack

Get Insurance rider for your camera

The camera, extra lenses, Battery charger, CD’s, cables

and cords add a lot of weight and bulk to your travel pack.

For safety, take your camera and equipment on board as

carry-on luggage. Some of the new camera bags have

additional space and can be used dual purpose as a carry

on bag.

I keep my pack with me when I am travelling from place to

place. The pack is just small enough to take on board

planes as hand luggage. (There is also extra storage for

other carry on items) It does not look like a camera bag

making it less attractive to would-be thieves.



58

You cannot carry everything with you at all times. When

you want an evening out and you leave your camera and

gear in the hotel room, there are some new security

products that will protect your expensive equipment

You may have a large investment and this security makes

good sense.

Security Protection: pac-safeTravelSecurity


This is a simple high tensile wire cage that you can place

over a bag to secure it and lock it onto a pipe or bed frame.

This can give you some “peace of mind”.

All camera gear and laptop can fit into backpack or

equivalent. There are many options with backpacks, slings,

rolling packs and day packs. You have many choices for

both men and women.


If you are taking substantial equipment, it needs to be be

properly insured. Your current homeowner's policy may

cover you or it may be necessary to purchase a “rider”. If

http://www.tamperseal.com/pacsafe-travel-security-c-29.html





59

your equipment is stolen, report it to the police and get a

copy of the police report.

Make sure your policy covers "full replacement cost", as

cameras, depreciate fast. Make a list of all the serial

numbers and itemized list of the cost of all your equipment.

This data will be valuable when making a police report in

the event of theft or questioned in Customs.

In some eastern European countries such as Russia, you

will need to list your expensive camera equipment and

laptops on your entry and exit visas. Good documentation

can eliminate having to pay extra tariffs and duties

overseas and returning to the United States.

No matter how well you think you know your camera, bring

your user manual or download it to your laptop.

Coffee in the Morning

Europeans live on a different time table than most of us.

Many larger hotels in the big cities do offer coffee machines

in the rooms but finding coffee in smaller hotels is more



60

difficult. You will struggle to wait for coffee if you are an

early riser.

I like to travel with a compact coffee maker that will also

make hot water for tea, hot chocolate and soup. Space

and weight is always a factor but these are good choices as

they are small, rugged and compact. Some of the new

travel coffee makers can be as small as (6.5”x 3.5” x 2.5”)

The Zelco Brisk coffee maker listed on Amazon is

sometimes out of stock or unavailable but I continue to list

is as an option because it is a great choice.


Makes 8 0z of brewed coffee or hot water in minutes.

Compact, easy setup and tear down and works on dual

voltage 120 or 240 VAC.

The other option is to take a beverage heater device in cup

and use freeze dried coffee packets.

I never travel without my coffee machine and it fits well in

carry-on luggage due to its shape. I need coffee first thing

in the morning and a coffee shop is usually hard to find

early AM in Europe. This works!

Travel coffee condiments can be found online:




61

Minimus.biz: minimus.biz

Smart and Final discount stores carry a good selection of small travel condiment packets for coffee, chocolate and tea.

Baggage and Luggage

One of the most difficult tasks before each trip is trying to

“travel light”. I have purchased many different makes and

models of luggage over the years. Suitcases should be

only as large and as heavy as you can carry yourself….You

will not have to depend upon others for help….and most

important, your back will thank you!

Travelling light




62

Listed are some companies that carry large selections of

top brands of travel luggage. This industry has grown over

the years and made many changes due to the airline travel

restrictions.


www.luggageguy.com

www.luggageonline.com

Packing Cubes

I use packing cubes on all my trips. I did not think I would

like them but they are easy to use and are compatible with

my luggage. In many small European hotels, there is

almost no furniture or storage capacity and these clever

packing tools give you many options and do save space.

They can work for you like a portable storage chest.

Luggage guy, luggage on line, bags ok, Rick Steves'

Luggage-Amazon

Carry on luggage

You need to check with your airline to find the baggage

requirements for checked and carry-on items. The


http://www.luggageguy.com/

http://www.luggageonline.com/



63

information varies between airlines, destinations and

countries.

The restrictions change from time to time, so be sure to

check again just prior to your flight. If your flight originates

in the USA, you need to check with TSA (Transportation

Security Administration) to find out what items you can

bring on board and what items need to be purchased in the

secured areas of the airports. Many countries follow the

United States TSA recommendations. 3-1-1 for carry-

ons = 3.4 ounce bottle or less (by volume); 1 quart-sized,

clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in

screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total

liquid volume each traveler can bring. 3.4 oz. container

size is a security measure. This procedure is mandatory in

the USA but is not always required in European airports.

Most airlines list their baggage requirements online.

TSA Carry on information: TSAcarryon

Additional data on baggage is found in Homeland

Security section TSATravelers

http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/index.shtm



64

Packing Secrets

Roll or bundle wrap garments to minimize wrinkles and

maximize space. Put tissue paper in rolled or folded

garments to further minimize wrinkling.

Make sure you color coordinate your wardrobe by

mixing and matching tops and bottoms from a single color

palette. You can dress up or down with accessories. A well

tailored jacket or blazer can be versatile for men and

women.

Wear your heaviest shoes or boots en route, pack the

lighter pairs. Save valuable space by stuffing socks and

other flexible items inside the packed shoes; be sure to

use shoes bags.

Use reseal-able plastic bags to pack electronic devices

and other items that you can separate and label.

Don’t pack to capacity! In all my years of travel, I use

the 75% rule. Your carry on or checked baggage should

never be more than 75% full, so you’ll have room for items

you acquired on your trip.

When filling out baggage tags, a phone number and/ or

an email address should suffice. Indicating your home



65

address advertises that you’re not there. Be sure to post

this information inside the bag in case the tag is lost.

Use only TSA-approved locks on checked baggage.

Do not put anything of value in your checked baggage.

TSA screens every passenger’s baggage before it is placed

on an airplane. The technology allows them to

electronically screen bags. There are times when it is

necessary to physically inspect a piece of luggage. TSA

has worked with companies to develop locks that can be

opened by security officers using universal “master” keys

so locks do not have to be cut. Locks are available at

airports and travel accessory stores. Packaging on the

locks indicates whether they can be opened by the TSA.

TSA Approved Travel Locks: www.walkabouttravelgear.com

Make sure you have everything you need with you to be

comfortable on a 7 to 12 hour flight to Europe. You are

dealing with high altitudes, dry air, thirst, jet lag and other

challenges. Take one day change of clothes or under

garments in case your luggage is lost. (Of course this never

happens!)




66

Make sure you check the TSA website for the size of

containers and amount of liquids you can carry aboard and

what you can and cannot take in your carry one luggage.

TSACarryonLiquids

Check List

Carry on stuff

Mini reading lights Reading Material

Small magnifying glass Spare eye glasses

Mini electric shaver Calculator/Address Book

Silk money pouch Credit /ATM cards

Passport Travel receipts and confirmations

Travel workbook Money (US dollar and Euros)

Change of clothes Travel pillow, eye shades, ear plugs

Note pad and pen Camera, laptop and gear

Slippers International drivers’ license

Light jacket Umbrella

Travel watch (2-time zones) Bottle water from secure area

Toothbrush Toothpaste

Mouthwash Hand sanitizer/hand lotion

Jewelry Mini first aid kit

http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm



67

Expanding utility bag Aspirin/ sinus pills

Visine Copies of all important documents

Deodorant Cosmetics & Hygiene products

Comb and brush Chap Stick

Breathe mints/Rolaids Prescription medications

Diarrhea & Laxative pills Travel Snacks

Extra items to pack in checked baggage

Compass/ mini flashlight TSA approved screwdriver

Cable lock (Luggage on train) Pac-Safe Travel Security device

Breakfast/snack bars Mini clothes line/ travel iron

Manicure set Small lightweight day pack

Duct tape Insect repellent

Adapters, converters Cell phone charge

Camera charger AA & AAA batteries

Extension cords Travel coffee pot or cup heater

Travel coffee Travel coffee condiments

Tea Dried soup

Instant oatmeal Salt and pepper

Picnic supplies Wine and can opener

Plastic utensils Sew kit/ wrinkle remover



68

Binoculars Luggage locks

Sunscreen Hand soap & laundry soap

Votive candles Copies of all documents

Note: Make sure you check the TSA website for prohibited items and

restrictions as this list changes from time to time. TSATravelers

Minimus.biz: TravelSizeMedications

Check it or Carry on

The airlines are adding fees for checked baggage and

the Transportation.

Security Administration places greater limits on carry-

on and checked bags.

Air travelers must think before they pack for a trip, no

matter the destination or duration.

Check it

Gives you flexibility. You do not have to haul the

bags through lengthy and crowded concourses or have





69

to keep an eye on it in airport restaurants or

restrooms. Always read your airline baggage

restrictions and TSA carry on data. Make sure travel

locks are TSA approved.

It saves time. You do not have to find overhead bin

space which is always a premium on international

flights. You will be able to pack a few more things

that you might not have taken with you.

Carry on

Gives you varied flexibility. If the flight is canceled

or delayed, you can move fast. You can rebook on

another flight and not have to worry about the

luggage ending up someplace that you are not.

Saves time in other ways. You do not have to wait

in check-in lines at the beginning of a flight or at

baggage claim at the end. This means you are

carrying less stuff and spending less time packing and

unpacking.



70

Peace of mind. You never have to worry about the

airline losing your luggage

Travel by train. Carry-on luggage forces you to

reduce the size and weight of your luggage and will

make your train travel more convenient and efficient.

Conclusion: I prefer to travel only with carry on luggage.

This is always a big challenge to “travel light” as I have to

eliminate items that I would have normally taken in my

checked luggage. With the problems today in international

airport security, this works best for me. You do have to

plan and sacrifice but it can work! There are many varied

opinions on this, but carry-on forces you to be a “light-

minded traveler”!

For additional information visit: Rick Steves’ packing

guide

Health and Medications

Medications and pharmacies are widely available

throughout Europe but it would be better if you fill your

prescriptions before you leave.

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/packlight.htm

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/packlight.htm



71

Take your prescription medicine in its original packaging in

your carry-on luggage and a copy of your prescription in

case you need to replenish while you are traveling or show

list to customs officers.

You need to make sure you are aware of the liquid

restrictions for carry-on items for vitamins and medications.

If your items come in liquid form; a two or three week

supply could force you to use the checked baggage option.

You should consult with your doctor prior to your departure

to discuss any health concerns. Americans entering Europe

generally do not need immunizations.

Examine your health insurance policy to be certain you are

covered while traveling abroad. Make a copy of your ID

card to take with you. Alternatively, you may consider

purchasing travel insurance.

Travel Guard: TravelGuardMedicalInsurance

Tap water in Europe is generally safe to drink but your

body is not accustomed to the local bacteria. It is better to

drink bottled or filtered water. Most Europeans drink

bottled water!

http://www.anrdoezrs.net/sl72tgockn153B8B641325A864A



72

Carry basic over-the-counter remedies for minor motion

travel irritations. There are over the counter and

prescription patches for motion sickness. Some travelers

use natural cures such as charcoal caps and ginger.

Coping with Jet Lag

There is a lot of controversy over jet lag and travel. Many

remedies and suggestions have been written and used but

there is no scientific cure. You might feel like ―the

devils of hell‖ for several days after you arrive from a

long flight.

The most common advice is to "reset" your sleep patterns

by going to bed early a few nights before you leave.

Get plenty of rest before you leave on your trip. Sleep as

much as you can on the plane, and walk and stretch when

awake. Switch your watch to the local time in Europe as

soon as you board the plane.

Drink plenty of water and avoid alcoholic and caffeinated

beverages while in flight. Upon arrival in a new time zone,

have a light meal at the appropriate local hour and perhaps

a brief stroll afterward. I enjoy a glass of wine on the

plane, so avoiding alcohol is not one of my things.



73

After arriving at your destination, stay up and go to bed at

your normal time and resist the temptation to retire early

or take a nap. Keep the first day or two on a light schedule

and try to relax. Soon you will return to normal!

"You Can Do What This International Airline Captain Does"

Airline Captain on Jet Lag

Where to Pick a Flower

―Finding a public restroom in Europe can sometimes

be a real challenge.‖

By Riana Lagarde

Imagine the era of the early 1800's, picturesque chateau

Versailles, refined, elegant ladies of the court who had to

um, tinkle, would proffer a polite phrase to let their ladies

in waiting know –

"I am going to go pick a flower". Rustles of dresses would

hasten to the said lady to assist her in "picking a flower".

They would go to a private spot in the garden and form a

circle around their lady (much like a wagon circle) whilst

she squatted in a special pot for that purpose.

http://www.pilot-pauls-travel-accessories.com/jet-lag.html



74

What do the French do now when they want to "pick a

flower"? Well, they wait until they get home. That is what

my French husband told me. The French hold it. Period!

They also don't drink water throughout the day and are

generally a very parched group.Since living in Paris for 2

years, I have broken every water/toilet rule: carrying my

own bottle of Evian and taking huge gulps while envious

Franco-phones gasp on metros, streets and rues.

I have used the toilets of friends that I was visiting (this is

a big French non-non) and I have done my duty outside of

my own four walls. The fact is that I always have to pee,

and this is why I am writing these words of advice, "Where

to pick a flower in Paris".

Rick Steves’ – Finding a Toilet: Rick Steves’ Public Toilets


Laundry on the road

Laundry is a necessary evil of traveling. You cannot take

enough clothes to last until you return and sending out

your cleaning is not always available. There are limitations

on finding laundry machines in some small towns.

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/0600wc.htm




75

Many European laundry outlets can be expensive and can

be difficult to find.

You need to be prepared to do some laundry at night in

your room. An extra large zip lock type bag can work as a

mini washing machine with water and detergent; close zip

and shake vigorously.

You can use the flat rubber sink stopper in the basin or

lavatory. I carry a spare rubber stopper in my luggage.

Micro fiber clothing will dry easily overnight on the mini

clothesline that you brought. Mini clips and clothespins can

come in handy.

I schedule my laundry when I am staying in one area for

several days so I have drying time. I keep my clothes to a

minimum and have to do this chore every 4 or 5 days as I

usually stay in Europe for 3 to 4 weeks at a time. I can go

for almost one week before I have to wash any underwear.

Travel size portions can be found online and at many stores.

Minimus: Soaps&TravelProducts






76

Travel Snacks and Energy Bars

Carry energy bars and other snacks in your day travel pack

as you wander around. You do not always have time to

stop and eat! You try to stay on schedules and these

energy bars will keep you fit and moving. Today, the shelves

of grocery and health food stores are lined with these energy and

protein bars making selecting the best ones hard to do. You will find

Balance bars, Luna Bars, Clif Bars, MET-RX bars, Larabars and

many more. They all offer some kind of supplement in an easy to

eat bar loaded with proteins, fiber, fruits, etc. Some contain too

many sugars or carbs for certain diets, but the main point is to

replace lost energy and nutrients from working out.

The Clif Bars are made with 70% organic ingredients and contain

23 vitamins and minerals which makes them a healthy alternative to

junk foods. Fitness experts are quick to praise all these companies

on giving Americans a healthy choice when it comes to eating a

balance diet. Organic foods are very popular and most of the

companies that specialize in making protein and energy bars realize

their target market wants natural, healthy foods.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fie%3DUTF8%26redirect%3Dtrue%26ref%255F%3Dsr%255Fnr%255Fp%255F4%255F5%26me%3DATVPDKIKX0DER%26bbn%3D4075981%26qid%3D1256837110%26rnid%3D202789011%26rh%3Dn%253A3760901%252Cn%253A%25213760931%252Cn%253A3764441%252Cn%253A4075971%252Cn%253A4075981%252Cp%255F4%253ALuna&tag=wwwgalttechco-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957

http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fie%3DUTF8%26redirect%3Dtrue%26ref%255F%3Dsr%255Fnr%255Fp%255F4%255F2%26me%3DATVPDKIKX0DER%26bbn%3D4075981%26qid%3D1256837110%26rnid%3D202789011%26rh%3Dn%253A3760901%252Cn%253A%25213760931%252Cn%253A3764441%252Cn%253A4075971%252Cn%253A4075981%252Cp%255F4%253ALarabar&tag=wwwgalttechco-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957

http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fie%3DUTF8%26redirect%3Dtrue%26ref%255F%3Dsr%255Fnr%255Fp%255F4%255F1%26me%3DATVPDKIKX0DER%26bbn%3D4075981%26qid%3D1256837110%26rnid%3D202789011%26rh%3Dn%253A3760901%252Cn%253A%25213760931%252Cn%253A3764441%252Cn%253A4075971%252Cn%253A4075981%252Cp%255F4%253AClif%2520Bar&tag=wwwgalttechco-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957



77

Homeland Security

Terrorism is not a new consideration for Americans heading

to Europe.

In the 1970s, we worried about Italy's Red Brigades,

Basque separatists, and the Irish Republican Army.

In the '90s, we feared widespread retaliation for the first

round of American bombs dropped on Baghdad. Then there

were threats to Americans by Muslim extremists.

Now there's potential fallout from the war in Iraq and

Afghanistan and other Middle Eastern conflicts.

For these reasons, it makes good sense not to run around

looking like an American Tourist.

TSA (Transportation Security Administration)

Travelers may carry through security checkpoints, travel-

size toiletries (3 ounces or less) that fit comfortably in a

quart-size, clear plastic, zip-top bag.

In August 2006, the London arrest of a team plotting to

blow up multiple airliners over the Atlantic brought into



78

sharp focus the evaluation of how airports worldwide

conduct checkpoint screening. In the United States the 3-

1-1 was required by the TSA but not all foreign countries

use these same techniques.

After clearing security, travelers can now bring beverages

and other items purchased in the secure boarding area on-

board the aircraft. See the following TSA website: What

to expect at the airport.

What to expect TSA Airport data

Read the complete list from the TSA (USA).

Read the CarryOnLuggageUnitedKingdom (UK)

This PDF file tells you exactly which items can be brought

on board if flying from a United Kingdom airport.

NOTE: You must remove your shoes when going through

security in the USA. The following is a quote from the TSA.

“IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES ARE THE NUMBER ONE

THREAT TO AIRCRAFT. AND WE KNOW TERRORISTS HAVE

CONCEALED THESE ITEMS IN SHOES.

OFFICERS CAN IDENTIFY A TAMPERED SHOE THROUGH AN

X-RAY QUICKLY AND EASILY.


http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/baggag/public/en_gb?link=main_nav



79

BY REQUIRING ALL PASSENGERS TO REMOVE SHOES FOR

X-RAY SCREENING, WE INCREASE SECURITY. SCIENTISTS

ARE DEVELOPING SHOE SCANNERS SO EVENTUALLY YOU

MAY BE ABLE TO LEAVE YOUR SHOES ON.”

Note: Many international and domestic airports are

starting to use these new scanners.

Prior to your flight, check with your airline and the

government (TSA) websites to see if there are any changes

to the current restrictions.

How to Travel Safe

Travel Warnings are issued to describe long-term,

prolonged conditions that make a country dangerous or

unstable.

A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S.

Government's ability to assist American citizens is difficult

due to the closure of an embassy, consulate or because of

a drawdown of its staff.

Travel Alerts address short-term dangers with country

specific information.



80

Most of the travel warnings are centered on the hot spots

in the Mid East, Africa, South America, Eastern and

Western Europe. Important warning link:

U.S. Dept of State: StateDepartmentWarnings

You can also call the department’s Overseas Citizens

Services at (888) 407-4747.

If you are in a country for more than one week, registering

with the nearest American Embassy or consulate (or online

at TravelRegisteration) In the event of a crisis, officials can

contact you.

Travelers face three categories of potential danger:

terrorism threats, threats to your body, and threats to your

goods.

It is a matter of risk management. Although terrorism gets

the most publicity, it has a lower probability than dying in a

car crash or being robbed.

Avoid large chain hotels near U.S. Embassies or consulates.

Visit major attractions in less-busy hours or opt for lesser-

known museums.

Avoid restaurants and clubs that Americans frequent.

Don’t advertise your nationality! (Don’t wear your UCLA

shirt or hoodie) Don’t travel with you’d be sorry to lose!

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html

https://travelregistration.state.gov/



81

Use security pouches or money belts and leave wallets and

expensive jewelry at home.

You can be a careful….rather than a fearful….traveler.

―Life is meant for living, it’s not meant for fear‖

Travel Insurance

There are many variations to comprehensive travel

insurance programs which include per-trip and annual

plans, coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip

delay, medical expenses, baggage loss and more! Travel

Guard is one of the companies that I recommend with a

24/7-customer service and World Service Center.

Travel Guard: travelguard.com

Passports and U.S. Customs

In order to travel to and within Europe, all U.S. citizens,

including infants, require a valid U.S. passport.

http://www.jdoqocy.com/k5117c-7w36LPNVSVQOLNMQNSRVO



82

The best time to apply for passports is between September

and December when agencies are less busy; apply several

months prior to your departure.

If you are applying for the first time or you need your

passport urgently, you will have to make an appointment

to appear in person at a U.S. Passport Agency office, a

courthouse or a post office authorized to process passports.

To make an appointment, call the State Department's

automated National Passport Information Center at 877-

487-2778. For urgent renewals, you may be required to

bring proof of your trip such as an airline confirmation

number and expect to pay an increased expedite fee.

U.S. Dept of State Passports: StateDeptPassportInformation

This company specializes in helping you get a passport:

www.expresspassport.com

Travel visas are not required for holders of U.S. passports

on short-term visits (less than 90 days) by any member

countries of the European Travel Commission with the

exception of Turkey.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

http://www.expresspassport.com/



83

For Turkey, a visa is available upon entry or in advance

through the Consular Office of the Turkish Embassy in the

U.S.

List of European Travel Commission Countries that do

not require travel visas for short term visits (90 days

or less)

Austria, Belgium, Britain, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech

Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Macedonia,

Georgia, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Iceland,

Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg,

Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal,

Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovak, Republic, Slovenia,

Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine.

Further information is available on the individual countries’

tourism website or you can check with the country’s

embassy in the U.S. before leaving.

Note: US Embassies and Consulates are listed in the

resource guide.



84

Customs Regulations

Bringing back a luggage-full of goodies is one of the great

pleasures of visiting Europe, but it pays to be aware of any

customs requirements upon your return.

The U.S. Customs regulations Department has strict rules

and regulations and these vary from country to country.

Follow these guidelines to make sure you can actually bring

home the items you purchase.

Prior to your departure, you may want to register certain

items you take abroad with you such as laptops, cameras

or watches, so that when returning home you will not be

subject to a duty on them. Registration can be done with

Customs at the international airport from which you are

departing. This is not essential but can give you “peace of

mind.”

U.S. Customs offers this advice: “If you’re bringing it back

with you, and you didn’t have it when you left, and its total

value is more than your exemption, it is subject to duty.”

On your return flight back to the USA, you will be asked to

fill out form I-94 detailing the value of your purchases.

Visitors who have been abroad at least 48 hours and have

not made a claim for exemption in the past 30 days can



85

return home with up to $800 per person in purchases

without paying any duty.

A flat rate of 10 percent will be charged on the next $1,000

worth of purchases. After that, the levies vary according to

the article.

If you do owe duty, it is payable upon your arrival in the

U.S. in cash (U.S. currency only) or by personal check in

the exact amount, drawn on a U.S. bank, made payable to

U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Some limits on

certain items are very specific.

Food items can be the trickiest items to bring home unless

they include baked goods, sweets or chocolates, which are

simple to import. Avoid bringing home meats, fruits or

vegetables, and, while dairy items such as milk, yogurt and

hard cheese are allowed, soft cheeses such as Brie and

ricotta are not.

It is wise to study the I-94 customs form prior to leaving

for your trip. The form will be handed out to passengers

on the flight returning to the USA and you will have to

complete it before landing. You will present the I-94 to US

custom agents along with your passport.

More info: USCustomsInformation

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/



86

Execute Your Travel Plan

Your Money and Foreign Currency

Various forms of money are accepted throughout Europe,

including local currency, credit cards and limited traveler’s

checks. International ATM’s and banking cooperation have

made Travelers checks almost obsolete.

You can easily get Euros from the many ATM’s across the

European countries. U.S. dollars can be converted at most

banks. United States currency is still recognized around



87

the world, but changing economic conditions have created

new concerns.

Be aware of any dollar changes or restrictions before you

travel. The Euro has been very strong in the last few years

and it is the currency of most European Countries. You can

check with the international division at your bank to learn

about any new developments.

I suggest carrying a mixture of the following monetary

solutions: US dollars, Euros, credit and ATM cards. Contact

the International department of your local bank and find

the process to buy Euros for your trip.

There are also several good money conversion companies

with good rates. Bookmark the following link as it will give

you up to date world currency rates for over 164 countries.

You can also purchase International currency online.

Oanda Foreign Money: oanda.com

Before you leave the U.S., be certain your bankcards work

with European ATMs, as they usually need a Plus, Cirrus,

Visa, MasterCard or Euro Card logo on them. Check to see

if you’re Personal Identification Number or PIN can be

accessed abroad. Large cities have good ATM locations,

but small villages can be a challenge.

http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic



88

International ATM Locations

Find ATM locations for cards using Visa and plus systems:

Visa ATM's

ATM locations for cards using MasterCard, Maestro and

Cirrus system: Master Card ATM's

Most European ATM keyboards have numbers only, so if

your PIN contains letters, take note of the numerical

equivalents. In Europe, ATM cards normally require a 4 to

6 digit PIN. Some European ATM machines do not have

numbers or letters on their keyboards.

Bank of America has an international department online

where you can find a list of International banks and ATM

machines. Advise the bank and your credit card companies

that you will be out of the country using your ATM and

credit cards.

Write down all the phone numbers and card data and store

in a safe place so you can cancel in case of theft or loss.

I normally order Euros from my bank to last me for the

first week or two and do not have to worry about finding an

ATM machine early in the trip. AAA Auto club has a

http://www.visa.com/atms

http://www.mastercard.com/atmlocator/index.jsp



89

program where you can purchase foreign Euros at many of

their national locations.

AAA Travel Services: AAATravel (Go to travel services and

search foreign money) You might take a look at their

Money Card offered by Visa which is a pre-funded travel

card similar to a debit card with specific travel features.

Tipping and Shopping

There is no universal rule for tipping that covers all

situations in all the countries…..The short answer is to tip

what you feel comfortable giving whether in a cab,

restaurant or hotel. If you stay at a swanky hotel or dine

in a posh restaurant, you can always check with the

concierge.

Here are some general guidelines that might be helpful.

Tour guides, are tipped anywhere from a few dollars a

day to $10, depending on how long the tour is, drivers are

generally tipped from $1 to $5 per day. In some countries,

public restroom attendants expect an undisclosed amount

of change: Be prepared to carry some euro change.

Restaurants, service charges range between 10 and 15

percent and are often included in the bill (make sure you

http://www.aaa.com/AAA_Travel/Travel/trip_planning.htm



90

check the menu to see if tip is included). If the service was

exceptional, you may opt to leave something extra behind.

Hotel bills list service charges, in which case you should

not feel obliged to leave more. Give porters who carry

your bags to the room from $1 to $2 per bag. The same

holds true for a doorman hailing a cab for you. Additionally,

some people leave $1-2 a night at the end of their stay for

the chambermaid.

Depending on the country, taxi drivers may have lower

expectations, but 10 percent is a good round number to

work with, especially if they assist you with bags.

Shopping

Shopping can be a cultural experience, whether it is a

famous big-city department store, or a small lace-making

shop or grocery market. (It is always interesting to see

what products are available in other countries)

Because every country has a reputation for particular items,

do a little research before you leave so you know what a

bargain is?



91

Take advantage of your trip to load up on gifts for

celebrations or the holidays – remember to choose

lightweight, easy-to-pack items. This is why you need to

pack an empty extra large expandable utility travel bag.

Belgium and Switzerland are knows for their great

chocolates…France and Italy have great wines…Germany is

famous for wooden Christmas ornaments. Do your

research before you travel.

Famers markets can be an inexpensive way to spend the

day shopping for regional products and crafts. You will find

local meats, cheeses, fruits, olives and oven-baked bread.

These can be excellent sources for picnic lunches. There

are many interesting “regional festivals” going on during

the travelling season.

Farmers Market Lavanto, Italy



92

Check the local tourist offices or information centers for the

locations and times for market and produce events in the

cities and villages. Most hotels will have this information.

You can browse the duty-free shops at the airports, on

international ferries or at some train stations.

These items are not usually sold at the best prices, but if

time is short, then this could be your last chance to

purchase that wallet or scarf before boarding the plane.

Remember that clothing and shoe sizes vary between

Europe and the U.S., so be sure to try things on before

buying.

Connecting with Europe

In May of 2007 we stayed in Paris for one week in an

Apartment located at 30 Rue Cler. Open-air produce

stands are stretched along this street six days a week.

The cobblestone pedestrian street extends for several

blocks and as you step out each morning the busy market

greets you with the “aroma of fresh baked baguettes”.

This is really “French”, as you have many boulangeries

(bakeries) to choose from. Small cafes are found along



93

this 3 block historical area. The famous Eiffel Tower and

Seine River are located within blocks of Rue Cler. You are

also within 5 minutes from the Ecole Militaire metro station.

This sleepy neighborhood is not ideal for the night owls,

but there are a few notable exceptions. Café du Marché

and La Terrassi du 7ème.

There are also many hotel options located in and around

“Rue Cler”.

French Café

Try to connect with Europe

Be thoughtful and try to understand differences

Try different European foods and new things Do not wear lots of jewelry or show affluence



94

Learn some foreign languages or words

“Go as a guest….Act like one…..And you’ll be treated like

one!”

Teens in Milan, Italy



95

Airports

European airports have made large investments in security

systems and technology to make their terminals efficient

and tourist friendly.

Many European airports are sleek, well designed and filled

with top-of-the-line shops and cafes.

Be sure to arrive at least two to three hours prior to your

flight to Europe and before any intra-Europe flights.

Frankfurt airport has been remodeling for the last year or

so and allowing only one hour between flight connections is

certainly a real challenge. Additional security checks and

gate changes can cost you extra time at large International

airports.

You will save yourself lots of grief by allowing a lot of extra

time at the airports.

Keep your passport and another form of picture

identification such as a driving license in a safe easy to get

to holding device.

Don’t’ forget to keep copies of your passport and other

important documents in your possession at all times in

case the original gets lost.



96

After a long 10 or 12 hour flight in another time zone, you

land at a very large international airport and need to make

a lot of decisions concerning:

Flight connections

Food and meals

Ground transportation

Phone confirmations

I always have terminal maps of the all the major airports

that I will be visiting. The following link will allow you to

find any international airport in the World.

You can look up major airports in Europe and get all the up

to date information direct from their site including terminal

maps that you can become familiar with before your arrive.

This will take some of the confusing challenges out of your

arrival experience.

International Airport Information: InternationalAirports

Public Transportation

Public transportation is the fastest, most efficient, cost-

effective way to get around Europe.

http://www.international-airports.com/



97

European buses and trains tend to be reliable, punctual and

very inexpensive. Large cities have complex transport

systems and smaller towns and villages have bus networks.

You can download metro (underground) maps of the major

cities in Europe. This is an excellent way to pre-plan and

be familiar with the system you will be using. You can also

find a copy of the metro map at the stations.

If you plan to travel extensively in the city you are visiting,

check with the local tourist office about purchasing a daily

or multi-day pass so that you do not have to stop each

time to buy another ticket. Public transportation in many

(but not all) European countries operates on the honor

system.

You can download metro (underground) maps of the major

cities in Europe. This is an excellent way to plan and be

familiar with the system you will be using.

International Rail and Metros: www.urbanrail.net

GPS and Maps

Global Positioning System (GPS)

The GPS was designed and developed by the U.S. government for use in military, commercial and scientific

http://www.urbanrail.net/



98

fields. This science was used to help vehicles, planes and

ships determine their locations world-wide.

GPS is a satellite-based navigational system created from a network of 24 satellites placed in orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. The system was made available for civilian use in the 1980’s. GPS systems operate in all kinds of weather round the clock.

GPS works off a network of satellites that were placed in orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. This system was made available for civilian use in the 1980's.

Use in Europe…GPS receivers are excellent travel guide sources… they work well in automobiles and travelling by foot… anywhere in the world. Most auto rental agencies in Europe offer GPS with their rental packages and are highly recommended. They are offered in English…can be excellent tools for finding the many unmarked roads and streets in European.

You can purchase your own portable GPS device in the USA

and load it with International software.

Google Maps

With modern technology today you can go to Google and find an address with directions…anywhere in the World.

Many foreign hotels in small villages and towns cannot be found on any maps, but you can locate these on Google. My travel workbook always has copies of many Google maps.

Google Maps: www.googlemaps.com

The European version of MapQuest or Rand McNally is Via Michelin which is a division of the French Michelin Tire

http://www.googlemaps.com/



99

Company. This is an excellent online source for driving

directions in Europe.

Via Michelin Link: www.viamichelin.com

• Directions in U.S. system

• Lists and costs of all toll roads

• Detailed distance and time charts

• Important travel information

On one of my trips to Europe, I downloaded and printed my driving trip instructions from Paris to Honsfleur, France. I used the "Via Michelin" driving program without any other maps.

My driving instructions started in Paris at the Gare de Lyon train station, where we picked up our rental car from AutoEurope.

The information indicated that the trip would take about 2 hours and was 209 km and the total cost for tolls would be 30.03 Euros.

I was given the instructions to take me to A-13 which is the road to Honfluer and returned back to Paris. The details for this trip were accurate and easy to follow.

This is an excellent program to use and it is free...

Via Michelin link: www.viamichelin.com

Purchasing Maps

The largest online map store in the world (Maps.com) has over 25,000 map related products of (Atlases, folded street maps, and travel maps). You will find country, continent, and province and city maps from all international World

http://www.viamichelin.com/

http://www.viamichelin.com/



100

and European locations. Rand McNally is another good

online Source.

Europe

• Western Europe

• Eastern Europe

• Northern Europe

• Southern Europe

• Central Europe

www.maps.com

http://www.maps.com/



101

Portovenere, Italy

Summary

These are the Travel Guide Secrets necessary to help

you have an exciting and successful trip to your

favorite destination in Europe!

―Relax and go with the flow! Travel like a local‖

Ciao, and have a great trip!

Tom



102

Resource Index

Online Travel Services

Best fares www.bestfares.com

CheapOstay www.cheapostay.com

DHR www.dhr.com

Expedia www.expedia.com

Kayak www.kayak.com

Mobissimo www.mobissimo.com

Orbitz www.orbitz.com

Otel www.otel.com

Sherman’s Travel www.shermanstravel.com

SideStep www.sidestep.com

Travelaxe www.travelaxe.com

Travelocity www.travelocity.com

TravelWeb www.travelweb.com

Travelzoo www.travelzoo.com

Trip Advisor www.tripadvisor.com

Vayama www.vayama.com

Large Hotel Groups

Best Western www.bestwestern.com

Hilton www.hilton.com

http://www.bestfares.com/


http://www.dhr.com/

http://www.expedia.com/

http://www.kayak.com/

http://www.mobissimo.com/

http://www.orbitz.com/

http://www.otel.com/

http://www.shermanstravel.com/

http://www.sidestep.com/

http://www.travelaxe.com/

http://www.travelocity.com/

http://www.travelweb.com/

http://www.travelzoo.com/



http://www.bestwestern.com/

http://www.hilton.com/



103

Le Meridien www.starwoodhotels.com

Mandarin Oriental www.mandarinoriental.com

Marriott www.marriott.com

Movenpick www.movenpick-hotels.com

Sheraton www.sheraton.com

Novi www.novihotel.com

Holiday Inn www.holidayinn.com

Radisson www.radisson.com

More Foreign Groups

Accor www.accorhotels.com

Apex www.apexhotels.co.uk

Choice Hotels www.choicehotels.com

InterContinental www.ichotelsgroup.com

Kempinski www.kempinski.com

Jolly www.jollyhotels.it

Melia www.solmelia.com

Minotels www.minotels.com

Romantik www.romantikhotels.com

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/

http://www.mandarinoriental.com/

http://www.marriott.com/

http://www.movenpick-hotels.com/

http://www.sheraton.com/

http://www.novihotel.com/

http://www.holidayinn.com/

http://www.radisson.com/

http://www.jdoqocy.com/99101is-owzDHFNKNIGDFEIINFKK

http://www.apexhotels.co.uk/

http://www.choicehotels.com/

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/

http://www.kempinski.com/

http://www.jollyhotels.it/

http://www.solmelia.com/

http://www.minotels.com/

http://www.romantikhotels.com/



104

International Airlines

Aer Lingus Ireland 800-223-6537

www.aerlingus.com

Aerolineas Argentinas Argentina 800-333-0276

www.aerolineas.com.ar

Aero Mexico Mexico 800- 237-6639

www.aeromexico.com

Aero postal Venezuela 888-912-8466

www.aeropostal.com

Air Canada Canada 888-247-2262

www.aircanada.com

Air China China 800-982-8802

www.airchina.com

Air Europa Europe 888-238-7672

www.aireuropa.com

Air France France 800-237-2747

www.airfrance.com

Air India Indi 800-223-7776

www.airindia.com

Air Jamaica Jamaica 800-523-5585

www.airjamaica.com

Air New Zealand New Zealand 800-262-1234

www.airnewzealand.com

http://www.aerlingus.com/

http://www.aerolineas.com.ar/

http://www.aeromexico.com/

http://www.aeropostal.com/

http://www.aircanada.com/

http://www.airchina.com/

http://www.aireuropa.com/

http://www.airfrance.com/

http://www.airindia.com/

http://www.airjamaica.com/

http://www.airnewzealand.com/



105

Alitalia Italy 800-223-5730

www.alitalia.com

Avianca Colombia 800-284-2622

www.aviaca.com

British Airways UK 800-247-9297

www.britishairways.com

Cathay Pacific Airways China 800-233-2742

www.cathaypacific.com

Condor Germany 800-524-6975

www.condor.com

Copa Airlines Panama 800-359-2672

www.copaair.com

EasyJet UK (London) 08712 882-236

www.easyjet.com

El Al Israel Airlines Israel 800-223-6700

www.elal.com

Finnair Finland 800-950-5000

www.finnair.com

GOL Brazil

www.voegol.com.br/INT/

Iberia Spain 800-772-4642

www.iberia.com

http://www.alitalia.com/

http://www.aviaca.com/

http://www.britishairways.com/

http://www.cathaypacific.com/

http://www.condor.com/

http://www.copaair.com/

http://www.easyjet.com/

http://www.elal.com/

http://www.finnair.com/

http://www.voegol.com.br/INT/

http://www.iberia.com/



106

Icelandair Iceland 800-223-5500

www.icelandair.com

Indian Airlines India

www.indianairlines.com

Japan.jal.com Japan 800-525-3663

KLM Netherlands 800-374-7747

www.klm.com

Korean Air Korea 800-438-5000

www.koreanair.com

Lan Airlines Chile 800-735-5526

Lloyd Aereo Boliviano Bolivia 800-327-3098

www.labairlines.com

Lufthansa Germany 800-399-5838

www.lufthansa.com

Mexicana Mexico 800-531-7921

www.mexicana.com

Philippine Airlines Philippine

www.philippineairlines.com 800-4-359-725

Quantas Airways Australia 800-227-4500

www.quantas.com

Ryanair Ireland

www.ryanair.com

SAS Sweden 800-221-2350

http://www.icelandair.com/

http://www.indianairlines.com/

http://www.klm.com/

http://www.koreanair.com/

http://www.labairlines.com/

http://www.lufthansa.com/

http://www.mexicana.com/

http://www.philippineairlines.com/

http://www.quantas.com/

http://www.ryanair.com/



107

www.flysas.com

Swiss Int. Airlines Switzerland 877-359-7947

www.swiss.com

TACA Airlines Central America 800-535-8780

www.taca.com

TAM-Brazilian Airlines Brazil 800-235-9826

www.tamairlines.com

TAME Ecuador/Galapagos

www.tame.com.ec

TAP Portugal 800-221-7370

www.flytap.com

Thai Airways Int. Thailand 800-426-5204

www.thaiair.com

Turkish Airlines Turkey 800-874-8875

www.thy.com

Varig Brazil 800-862-8621

www.varig.com

Virgin Atlantic UK 800-862-8621

www.virginatlantic.com

http://www.flysas.com/

http://www.swiss.com/

http://www.taca.com/

http://www.tamairlines.com/

http://www.tame.com.ec/

http://www.flytap.com/

http://www.thaiair.com/

http://www.thy.com/

http://www.varig.com/

http://www.virginatlantic.com/



108

U.S. Domestic Airlines

Alaska Airlines 800-426-0333 www.alaskairlines.com

America West Airlines 800-235-9292 www.usairways.com

American Airlines 800-433-7300 www.aa.com

Continental Airlines 800-525-0280 www.continental.com

Delta Airlines 800-221-1212 www.delta.com

Frontier Airlines 800-432-1359 www.frontierairlines.com

JetBlue Airways 800-538-2583 www.jetblue.com

Northwest Airlines 800-225-2525 www.nwa.com

Southwest Airlines 800-435-9792 www.southwest.com

United Airlines 800-241-6522 www.united.com

US Airways 800-428-4322 www.usairways.com

Airline alliances

Sky Team: www.skyteam.com

Star Alliance: www.staralliance.com

Oneworld Alliance: www.oneworld.com

Airline Consolidators

Air Brokers: www.airbrokers.com

Air Consolidators: www.airconsolidators.com

http://www.alaskairlines.com/

http://www.usairways.com/

http://www.aa.com/

http://www.continental.com/

http://www.delta.com/

http://www.frontierairlines.com/

http://www.jetblue.com/

http://www.nwa.com/

http://www.southwest.com/

http://www.united.com/

http://www.usairways.com/

http://www.skyteam.com/

http://www.staralliance.com/

http://www.oneworld.com/

http://www.airbrokers.com/

http://www.airconsolidators.com/



109

AirfareStore.com: www.airfarestore.com

Airline Consolidator: www.airlineconsolidator.com

Travel Hub: www.travelhub.com

Charter and Tour Operators

Apple Vacations: www.applevacations.com

Affordable Tours: www.affordabletours.com

Flight Find: www.flightfind.co.uk

SITC: www.indiamart.com/sitctravel

TFI Tours: www.tfitours.com

Around-The-World bookings

Air Brokers: www.airbrokers.com

AirTreks.com: www.airtreks.com

Round The World Tickets: www.roundtheworldticket.com

Air Time Table.com: www.airtimetable.com

http://www.airfarestore.com/

http://www.airlineconsolidator.com/

http://www.travelhub.com/

http://www.applevacations.com/

http://www.affordabletours.com/

http://www.flightfind.co.uk/

http://www.indiamart.com/sitctravel

http://www.tfitours.com/

http://www.airbrokers.com/

http://www.airtreks.com/

http://www.roundtheworldticket.com/

http://www.airtimetable.com/



110

Cruise Resources

Princess Cruises: www.princess.com

Royal Caribbean Cruises: www.RoyalCaribbean.com

Carnival Cruise Lines: www.carnival.com

Norwegian Cruise Line: www.ncl.com

Celebrity Cruises: www.cruisecritic.com

Holland America Line: www.hollandamerica.com

Yachts of Seabourn: www.seabourn.com

Cunard Cruise Lines: www.cunard.com

Disney Cruise Line: www.disneycruise.disney.go.com

World’s Leading Cruise Lines: www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com

Windstar Cruise Line: www.windstarcruises.com

Discovery Cruise Line: www.discoverycruiseline.com

Crystal Cruises: www.crystalcruises.com

American Cruise Lines: www.americancruiselines.com

Bahamas Cruise: www.imperialmajesty.com

U.S. Embassies & Consulates in Europe

―Where to go if you lose your passport‖

http://www.princess.com/

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/

http://www.carnival.com/

http://www.ncl.com/

http://www.cruisecritic.com/

http://www.hollandamerica.com/

http://www.seabourn.com/

http://www.cunard.com/

http://www.disneycruise.disney.go.com/

http://www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com/

http://www.windstarcruises.com/

http://www.discoverycruiseline.com/

http://www.crystalcruises.com/

http://www.americancruiselines.com/

http://www.imperialmajesty.com/



111

Country Address/Local

Telephone

Hours & websites

Austria

Vienna Embassy–

Consular Section

Parking 12a

tel. 01/313-390

fax 01/512-5835

Mon–Fri 8:30–11:30

emergency services 8:30–17:00

www.usembassy.at

Belgium

Brussels

Consulate

Regentlaan

27 Boulevard du Régent

tel. 02-508-2111

fax 02-511-2725

Mon–Thu 13:30–16:30

Fri 9:00–noon

www.usembassy.be

Bosnia-

Herzegovina

Sarajevo Embassy

Alipasina 43

tel. 33/445-700

fax 33/659-722

Mon–Thu 14:00–15:30

Fri 8:00–11:30

http://sarajevo.usembassy.gov

Croatia Zagreb Embassy 2 Thomas Jefferson

Street

tel. 1/661-2300

Mon–Fri 8:00–noon & 13:30–

15:00

www.usembassy.hr

Czech Republic

Prague Embassy Tržiště 15

tel. 02-5702-2000

www.usembassy.cz

Denmark Copenhagen

Embassy

Dag Hammarskjölds Allé

24

tel. 33-417-100

fax 35-430-233

www.usembassy.dk

Estonia Tallinn Consulate Kentmanni 20

tel. 668-8100

fax 668-8267

www.usemb.ee

Finland

Helsinki Consulate Itäinen Puistotie 14B

tel. 09/6162-5701

www.usembassy.fi

France

Paris Consulate 4 avenue Gabriel

tel. 01-4312-2222

fax 01-4296-2839

passports Mon–Fri 9:00–12:00

www.amb-usa.fr

Germany Berlin Embassy–

Consular Section

Clayallee, 170 Mon–Fri 14:00–16:00

http://www.usembassy.at/

http://www.usembassy.be/

http://sarajevo.usembassy.gov/service.html

http://zagreb.usembassy.gov/acs/index.htm

http://www.usembassy.cz/

http://www.usembassy.dk/

http://www.usemb.ee/

http://www.usembassy.fi/

http://www.amb-usa.fr/



112

tel. 030/832-9233

fax 030/8305-1215

www.usembassy.de

Gibraltar — No

U.S. Embassy or

Consulate

For passport problems,

contact U.S. Consulate

in Madrid, Spain

To call Madrid from

Gibraltar: 00 tel. 34 91

587-2200

fax 00 34 91 587-2303

Great Britain London Embassy–

Consular Services

24 Grosvenor Square

tel. 020/7499-9000

Mon–Fri 8:30–12:30 & 14:00–

16:00

www.usembassy.org.uk

Greece

Athens Embassy

91 Vasilisis Sophias

Avenue

tel. 210-721-2951

http://athens.usembassy.gov

Hungary

Budapest

Embassy

Szabadság tér 12

tel. 1/475-4164

Mon–Thu 13:00–16:00

Fri 9:00–noon & 13:00–16:00

http://hungary.usembassy.gov

Republic of

Ireland

Dublin Embassy

42 Elgin Road

Ballsbridge

tel. 01/668-8777

fax 01/668-9946

www.usembassy.ie

Italy

Rome Embassy via Vittorio Veneto

119/A

tel. 064-6741

fax 064-674-2244

Citzen Services Mon–Fri 8:30–

12:30

www.usembassy.it

Montenegro

Podgorica

Embassy

Ljubljanska bb

tel. 81/225-417

Mon–Fri 8:30–17:00

http://podgorica.usembassy.gov

Morocco Casablanca

Consulate

8 Boulevard Moulay

Youssef

Mon–Thu 8:30–9:30 & 13:30–

15:00

http://www.usembassy.de/

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/

http://athens.usembassy.gov/

http://hungary.usembassy.gov/information_for_travelers.html

http://dublin.usembassy.gov/

http://www.usembassy.it/

http://podgorica.usembassy.gov/service.html



113

tel. 22/267-151

fax 22/204-127

http://casablanca.usconsulate.gov/

Netherlands Amsterdam

Consulate

Museumplein 19

tel. 020/575-5309

fax 020/575-5330

Mon–Fri 8:30–11:30

www.netherlands.usembassy.gov

Northern Ireland Belfast Consulate Danesfort House

223 Stranmills Road

tel. 028/9038-6100

fax 028/9068-1301

Mon–Fri 8:30–17:00


Norway Oslo Consulate Henrik Ibsens gate 48

tel. 2130-8787

Mon–Fri 9:00–12:00

www.usa.no

Poland Krakow Consulate ulica Stolarska 9

tel. 124-245-100

fax 124-245-103

Mon–Fri 8:30–17:00

http://poland.usembassy.gov

Portugal Lisbon Consulate Avenida das Forças

Armadas

tel. 217-702-122

fax 217-272-354

Mon–Fri 8:30–noon & 13:30–

14:00

www.american-embassy.pt

Scotland Edinburgh

Consulate

3 Regent Terrace

tel. 0131/556-8315

fax 0131/557-6023

Tue & Thu 9:00–13:00


Slovakia Bratislava

Embassy

Hviezdoslavovo

namestie 4

tel. 2/5443-0861

tel. 2/5441-8861

Mon–Fri 8:00–11.45 & 14:00–

15:15

http://slovakia.usembassy.gov

Slovenia

Ljubljana

Embassy

Prešernova cesta 31

tel. 1/200-5595

fax 1/200-5535

Mon–Fri 9:00–11:30 & 13:00–

15:00

http://slovenia.usembassy.gov

Spain Madrid Embassy Calle Seranno 75

tel. 91-587-2240

Mon–Fri 8:00–13:00

www.embusa.es

http://casablanca.usconsulate.gov/

http://netherlands.usembassy.gov/consular_visa.html

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/nireland/index.html

http://www.usa.no/

http://krakow.usconsulate.gov/citizen_services.html

http://www.american-embassy.pt/

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/scotland

http://slovakia.usembassy.gov/service.html

http://slovenia.usembassy.gov/acs.html

http://www.embusa.es/cons/services.html



114

fax 91-587-2243

Sweden Stockholm

Consulate

Dag Hammarskjölds Väg

31

tel. 08/783-5300

fax 08/783-5480

walk-in Mon–Fri 9:00–11:00

by phone Mon–Fri 13:00–15:00

www.usemb.se

Switzerland Bern Embassy Jubiläumsstrasse 95

tel. 031-357-7234

fax 031-357-7280

walk-in Mon–Fri 9:00–11:30

by phone Mon–Fri 14:00–17:00

http://bern.usembassy.gov

Turkey Istanbul

Consulate

Kaplıcalar Mevkii Sokak

2

tel. 212/335-9000

Mon–Thu 8:30–11:30 & 13:30–

15:00

http://istanbul.usconsulate.gov

http://www.usemb.se/

http://bern.usembassy.gov/

http://istanbul.usconsulate.gov/information_for_travelers.html



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