City Traveler

PASSPORTS

You will need a passport to go to Europe, including France. We recommend applying for a passport as soon as you register for a tour, as it could take few months to process. You can find out all you need to know about passports at the US government passport website. Airlines will not permit you to travel if the name on your ticket does not match exactly the name on your passport, including your middle name.

VISAS

You may need a visa for your tour. Consult the destination countries consulates for more information and specific requirements.

MONEY

Europe uses the Euro. You should familiar yourself with the exchange rate before departure. You will be able to get Euros with a credit card as soon as you arrive at the airport. ATMs are the most convenient since they accept a wide number of bank and credit cards; Visa and MasterCard are the most popular in Europe. Check with your bank to make sure your card will work abroad. Do not forget to get your PIN number from your credit card company (for each card you are planning on using) to be able to withdraw money from ATM machines. Before departure, always let your credit card companies know you are going to Europe. Vendors like stores or restaurants will take Visa and MasterCard; markets vendors will take cash only. Each time you use your Visa or MasterCard, for purchase or withdrawal, the credit card company will charge you a fee.

PACKING

In May and September, the average temperature in the French Riviera is between 55 to 70 degrees. It is hard to predict what the weather will be like when you will be there, so bring something for cold and mild weather. Bring an umbrella (hopefully, it will stay in your luggage!!!), and don’t forget sunglasses and hats. You will be walking so bring comfortable shoes (tennis shoes are OK). The French dress up when going to restaurants; bring jeans, and also dress pants or dresses. No shorts. Don’t forget your camera! Bring your medicine! You will be able to carry your medicine in the plane with you, except liquids and gels (more than 3.4 oz or 100ml) which should go into your luggage. Pack everything in a plastic bag to show at the security check point. Aerosols are prohibited. Scissors, knives and tweezers should go inside your luggage, not in your carry-on. Visit http://www.tsa.gov for more details. Check out the baggage restrictions and carry-on rules with your airline. Don’t forget, you will certainly buy few things during your trip, so pack light!

A budget holiday somehow tends to give a feeling of inadequate enjoyment. When any one of us happens to mention that he or she is going for a budget holiday, we begin to imagine the inadequacies that they would be going through, just because they happened to mention the term “budget”. These days there are many travel and tourism related companies which provide excellent vacation packages and help you enjoy your holiday to the fullest.

When we talk about Europe, most of the people think of Switzerland, however Switzerland is not the only place which is beautiful in Europe there are many other places which are extremely beautiful and worth a visit. We all know that Switzerland is surely a place everyone would wish they could visit, but to say that the other places are not worth a visit would be wrong.

If you think that taking a budget holiday would mean that you are being given inferior hotel rooms or food or even attendants in the hotel, then you are sadly mistaken. All the people who go in or budgeted holidays have had wonderful experiences and have even gone ahead and left testimonials of the splendid experience they have had.

I would suggest that if you plane to take a holiday in Europe and have a restricted budget, do visit the travel blogs and chat rooms where people chat about travelling experiences. Chatting in these chat rooms would give you a fair idea of what to expect and since you are getting this information from people who have already gone for such trips, you will have first hand information and realistic expectations.

Planning a great, memorable European tour? You will not want to miss out on the best that Germany has to offer. The country takes pride in its rich history, apparent in its modern-day architecture, landmarks and attractions with a conscious hint of the arts.

Germany also treats visitors to delightful outdoor and countryside scenery, satisfying and mouth-watering food, fantastic shopping prospects, ease in commute, and everything in between which continue to gain the admiration of tourists.

Powerful, influential and wealthy, this country makes it to the list of the top five economies in the world. This fact does not necessarily mean, however, that you will need to be moneyed in order to enjoy a tour of the country.

By simply doing your homework and getting to know your European destination, you will have a blast during the entire trip – from Hamburg to Munich, from Cologne to Berlin. Consider these no-nonsense tips for a great value tour in Germany:

Grab off-season plane tickets; they come cheap.

You can start by grabbing a plane ticket during off-seasons. Many tourists, locals and foreigners alike, go vacationing in Germany’s best spots during the summer months of June, July and August. You can also expect the influx of guests to peak on the Christmas and New Year holidays, so you may want to avoid that.

Food and drink is very expensive in Rome, but you can find some very nice cheaper cafes and restaurants if you come away from the main tourist areas.

There are hundreds of shops selling souvenirs but mostly selling the same kind of things, rosary beads and religious memorabilia.

You will never get to see everything in Rome in just a few days, but the easiest way to get an idea of the city is on an open top tour bus. They charge about 15 Euros and the ticket last for 24 hours. They will give you headphones which you plug into the socket beside your seat, and then you can listen to a running commentary of the places of interest that you are passing. Just jump off when you get to a place you want to visit and back on another bus whenever you feel like it.

St Peter’s is amazing. Try to avoid the weekend as it is extremely busy, but during the week hardly any queue. You have to go through the same security as you do at the airport to get in. If you go up to the dome, remember there are hundreds of steep steps to climb. They have a lift but this only takes you to the base of the dome. Do not forget to visit the shop run by the nuns inside. Where you will be able to buy rosaries that have been blessed by the pope. And look out for the Swiss guards as you leave the Vatican. They look really colourful and smart in their Orange, White & Blue Uniform.

The Colisseum will take your breath away. It costs 12 euros to get in but the queue is horrendous. For 20 euros join a guided tour. There are lots of people offering them outside. But make sure you choose someone who is wearing a licensed badge. You will not have to queue to get in, and that in its self is well worth the extra 8 euros. You will get a full guided tour of the Colisseum, The Palatine and The Forum which lasts about 2 hours. And if you’re lucky they will give you a ticket for a free tour in another part of the city.