PASSPORT TO EUROPE : TRAVEL SAVVY THE TICKET TO A TRIP TO REMEMBER.Byline: Lisa Carden Orlando Sentinel The Orlando Sentinel is the primary newspaper of the Orlando, Florida region. It was founded in 1876 and is currently in its 131st year of publication. The Sentinel is owned by Tribune Company and is overseen by the Chicago Tribune. Do you dream of prowling prowl v. prowled, prowl·ing, prowls v.tr. To roam through stealthily, as in search of prey or plunder: prowled the alleys of the city after dark. v.intr. the Louvre Louvre (l  `vrə), foremost French museum of art, located in Paris. The building was a royal fortress and palace built by Philip II in the late 12th cent. in Paris, walking the emerald hills of England's Lake District or scouting windmills among the dikes in the Netherlands? Maybe you long to explore Vienna, traipse along an Alpine trail in Switzerland or see the German hometown of your ancestors. Whatever your reason for visiting Europe, this is the year you intend to make the dream come true. And you won't be alone. More than 9 million Americans traveled to the Continent in 1996, and another 9.5 million are expected to head to Europe in 1997, the fifth record year in a row, said Neil Martin, spokesman for the European Travel Commission in New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of . The steady value of the U.S. dollar against European currencies will continue to bolster American travel there, Martin said. It won't make for cheap travel in Europe, but people planning trips should be able to plan their expenses based on current values without being too far off. Now that you've decided to go, you're poised for action. But you have all sorts of questions: How do I plan the trip? Where should I go? And when? Where do I get a passport? Do I need a visa? And what should I pack? Here are some tips from travel experts and European guidebooks on everything from planning your trip and packing for it to getting a passport. Planning your trip To call Europe a vast continent is like calling the Vatican a parsonage. There are so many nooks and crannies Noun 1. nooks and crannies - something remote; "he explored every nook and cranny of science" nook and cranny detail, item, point - an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole; "several of the details are similar"; "a point of information" to explore that it might seem a daunting daunt tr.v. daunt·ed, daunt·ing, daunts To abate the courage of; discourage. See Synonyms at dismay. [Middle English daunten, from Old French danter, from Latin task to select a destination. The lesson here is: Know thyself The Ancient Greek aphorism "Know yourself" (Greek: γνῶθι σεαυτόν or gnothi seauton) was inscribed in the pronaos (forecourt) of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi - according to the Greek periegetic . If you prefer to relax on a beach and snooze in the sun, think French Riviera. More into the active athletic lifestyle? Head to the Alps for some mountain climbing mountain climbing, the practice of climbing to elevated points for sport, pleasure, or research. Also called mountaineering, it is practiced throughout the world. Types There are three types of mountain climbing. . Love the theater? Give London a whirl. Start your adventure at a bookstore or library, looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. guidebooks that can help you uncover the ideal destination. ``Equip yourself with information,'' says Rick Steves Rick Steves (born in Edmonds, Washington in 1955) is an American author on European travel. He is the host of a public television series [1] and a public radio travel show [2] and the author of many travel guidebooks [3]. , author of ``Europe Through the Back Door'' (John Muir Publications; $17.95) and the host of PBS' ``Travels in Europe with Rick Steves.'' ``If you're a shopper, get a shopper's guide; if you're a glutton glutton: see wolverine. , get a diner's guide.'' Another strategy on choosing a destination is to ask friends and acquaintances who have interests similar to your own to share memories of places they've visited in Europe. When you've selected your destination, contact the country's tourist bureau for specific information; guidebooks will help you locate the addresses and phone numbers. When to go When you go to Europe may depend on what you'll be doing when you get there - or on your budget. Work with a good travel agent who can identify good times of the year, the best air fares and hotel/air packages that will bring the most value for your dollar. Remember that the more moderate temperatures of spring and summer bring higher prices. Air fares and hotel costs are at their peak from April 1 through Sept. 30, says Sue Cook, a travel agent at World Travel Partners in Orlando. How much higher? Last week, a round-trip ticket Noun 1. round-trip ticket - a ticket to a place and back (usually over the same route) return ticket ticket - a commercial document showing that the holder is entitled to something (as to ride on public transportation or to enter a public entertainment) between Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. and Paris aboard Delta for a mid-March trip could be purchased for as low as $520; in May, the same trip would cost $719. So you'll get the most bang for your travel buck by going to Europe during the off-season (November through March) or ``shoulder'' months (April, May and October). Passports and visas Passports are a necessity for U.S. citizens traveling to Europe, and it's a good idea to apply for one - or renew yours, if it's about to expire - in plenty of time to make your departure date. If you're in a hurry, mailing in a passport application - which usually brings a response in less than three weeks - may not be a good idea. By presenting proof of an imminent departure date and paying an additional $30 ``expedite fee,'' applicants can get a passport quickly. Adults and children age 13 and older applying for a passport for the first time must do so in person at a U.S. passport office passport office passport n → bureau m de délivrance des passeports passport office passport n → Passamt nt passport office or a specified post office or courthouse. Here's what you'll need when you apply for your first passport: a certified copy A photocopy of a document, judgment, or record that is signed and attested to as an accurate and a complete reproduction of the original document by a public official in whose custody the original has been placed for safekeeping. of your birth certificate, two recent 2-inch by 2-inch photos and a photo ID such as a driver's license Noun 1. driver's license - a license authorizing the bearer to drive a motor vehicle driver's licence, driving licence, driving license license, permit, licence - a legal document giving official permission to do something . And don't forget your checkbook - the fee is $65 for adults and $40 for children under age 18. No credit cards are accepted. Passports are good for 10 years. If yours has expired, you can get it renewed by mail. Cost is $55. To request a passport renewal form, call (407) 850-6288. If you're a U.S. citizen, you probably won't need a visa - a stamp placed on your passport by officials of the country you wish to enter. Of the 26 countries represented by the European Travel Commission, only Turkey requires that U.S. citizens have a visa. If you are uncertain about visa requirements of the country you plan to visit, contact that country's embassy or consulate, or call the U.S. State A U.S. state is any one of the fifty subnational entities of the United States, although four states use the official title "commonwealth". The separate state governments and the federal government share sovereignty, in that an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and Department's visa office at (202) 663-1225. After listening to a recording, you'll be able to talk with a visa officer. Getting there Most visitors take to the sky, but if you've got your heart set on crossing the ``pond'' on an ocean liner, check with your travel agent for cruise lines
Name Headquarters A'rosa Europe NCL America America AIDA Cruises Europe American Cruise Lines America that offer such crossings. For instance, Cunard's Queen Elizabeth Queen Elizabeth, or Elizabeth, may refer to: Living people
Bohemia If you'll be flying, work with a travel agent to check out flights, routes and prices. An agent usually can find the flight or flights that put you where you want to be - and when you want to be - at a price within your budget. Also, watch the advertisements for special offers from competitive airlines. Don't forget to ask your agent to check fares offered by consolidators, which are companies that buy large blocks of seats from airlines and then offer them to consumers at reduced prices. Consolidators' prices aren't always lower than regular air fares, but you might find a deal that will save you, say, $50 a ticket. If you're going to rent a car, make the rental arrangements before you leave the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . You can research prices through a travel agent or by calling rental agencies' 800 numbers, listed in the Yellow Pages under Automobile Renting and Leasing. What to pack A word of advice: Travel light. You'll probably be the one lugging your bag through airports and muscling it off the airport conveyor belt conveyor belt One of various devices that provide mechanized movement of material, as in a factory. Conveyor belts are used in industrial applications and also on large farms, in warehousing and freight-handling, and in movement of raw materials. , so pack only the bare essentials. If you're playing tourist, you'll probably need just a few outfits from your wardrobe (remember - the people you meet probably will never see you again.) Pack sturdy, comfortable garments that don't wrinkle easily. And author Steves recommends taking along good, well-broken-in shoes. Electrical outlets throughout Europe are 220 volts (The U.S. operates on 120 volts). Many hair driers, electrical razors and battery chargers for video cameras sold in the United States are dual-standard models. If they aren't, you'll need to buy a converter. But even if they are dual-standard models, you'll need an adapter plug or plugs because not all countries in Europe use the same kind of plug. Most guidebooks will indicate which plug you'll need for each country. Converters or adapters are sold at hardware or luggage stores. The one thing that Steves says he wouldn't leave home without is his money belt. With such a belt, ``you've got the essentials tied to your body.'' No one likes to think about crime while taking in the sights, but it's best not to be vulnerable with your valuables, he says. Other things to pack: a photocopy of your passport (in case yours is lost or stolen), addresses and phone numbers of friends and relatives back home, your medical insurance card and prescriptions for any medicines you take. Money Steves advises his readers to order a small amount of the currency of each country they'll visit; you can place the order at your bank well before you leave on your trip. That way you'll have the currency in hand when you arrive - no need to seek a bank immediately or queue up at the money exchanger's window. (The drawback is you'll pay more to convert money here than there.) Besides foreign currency, take several hundred American dollars, he says. If you run out of your host country's currency, you can use U.S. money in a pinch. What is the dollar worth in foreign countries? Check currency exchange rates or call your bank. Traveler's checks are widely accepted in Europe, and they're easy to cash.You may be able to use your ATM card for cash in some destinations, as wel. ON LOCATION ``Planning Your Trip to Europe,'' a travel planner for vacationers, is offered free by the 26-nation European Travel Commission. It includes 1997 events and travel highlights of each country, with maps and photos. To get a copy, call (800) 816-7530 (number is operational through June 30) or write: European Planner, P.O. Box 1754, New York, N.Y. 10185. A new ETC ETC - ExTendible Compiler. Fortran-like, macro extendible. "ETC - An Extendible Macro-Based Compiler", B.N. Dickman, Proc SJCC 38 (1971). Web site will incorporate information from the free planner and other sources; access it at: http://www.visiteurope.com. CAPTION(S): 3 Photos, Box Photo: (1--color) First-time travelers to Europe often land in London first - a city that has enough sights to eat up an entire vacation. (2--color) Leisure time to explore historical delights, such as those in Ireland, is a must for a successful trip. (3--color) Do a little research so you know what you shouldn't miss - Notre Dame Cathedral's Rose Window in Paris, for example. British Tourist Authority Box: ON LOCATION (see text) |
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