Archive for Travel Tips
Tipping in Europe 15 May 2019
- Restaurants: A few coins for a simple lunch (normally less than 10%); 5 – 10% of your bill for a nice dinner with very good service and NO tip for just a quick coffee! (Don’t automatically calculate 15 – 20% of your bill as servers earn a good salary and “service” is often included in your bill in most EU countries).
- Taxi: Round up to the nearest Euro
- Private Transfers: 5 to 15 Euros for a private transfer (up to 4 passengers; more than 1 hour)
- Private Guided Tours: 10 Euros per person for a Half Day and 20 – 25 Euros per person for a Full Day guided tour as these are professional, often licensed individuals so a reasonable tip is warranted when good service is provided (more if you are traveling solo). Group tours (not private) would be less.
When Should I Renew My Passport? 15 Apr 2019
Many countries require that your passport be valid for at least 6 months beyond your last travel date. Due to the recent government shutdown, processing of renewal and new passports is taking longer than normal so allow plenty of time in consideration of upcoming foreign travel. This website link will get you started in the process: Passport Application
Pre-Registration for European Travel is Coming! 15 Mar 2019
To improve security and illegal immigration, the European Union (consisting of 26 countries) has voted to require travelers from Visa-free nations (such as the U.S.) to register their travel before entering the country beginning in 2021. Technically not a Visa, it functions as one, but can be easily obtained online for a small fee. Once approved (usually instantly), access is granted for 3 years. Watch for more information as this date draws near.
How to Speed Up Going thru Airport Security 15 Feb 2019
- Avoid peak travel times if at all possible (4 – 8 pm Friday & Sunday evenings) and, of course, holidays
- Wear simple clothing (slip-on shoes, simple or no jewelry) and be prepared to easily remove a jacket or sweater
- Don’t forget to put liquids in small containers (3.4 oz or less) in a clear, quart-sized bag that can be quickly removed from your carry-on bag
- Separate electronic items in your carry-on bag so they can be screened more clearly, and be prepared to remove your laptop or tablet from your bag
