Traveling to Europe can be complicated, as I am finding out. As I've said in previous posts, it's been more than 25 years since I last went. Obviously, the world has changed. Many of the issues I'm trying to work out for this trip didn't even exist in 1988. Fortunately, we have far more tools at our disposal now than we did then.
I thought I'd post a quick list of lessons learned, so far. I know there are many more to learn, but this is what I've learned to date.
1. The cell phone conundrum.
In 1988 there were no cell phones. At least, I'd never seen one and certainly didn't need to worry about using one in Germany. How things have changed. I will be taking one to Germany, but I have been trying to figure out how best to go about it. Many US cell phones will not work there. I happen to use Verizon. Most Verizon phones will not work in Europe (Same for Sprint. ATT and TMobile are OK). I happen to have an HTC Incredible 2, which will work. However, Verizon's overseas plans are outrageously expensive. So after some research, I've decided on a couple of alternatives. The first is to unlock my Verizon phone and purchase a prepaid SIM card when I get to Germany. That seems to be the best option. The other is to purchase an unlocked TMobile or ATT phone here and buy a SIM card there. But since I already have a phone, it seems silly to purchase another one. The disadvantage to doing this is that I cannot receive calls at my Verizon phone number while I'm away.
2. Internet
Again, another problem that did not exist in 1988. It's closely related to the cell phone problem. Since my phone is an Android smartphone, I need to be able to have internet access. But again, internet service is expensive and on the prepaid plans I've seen, very limited. However, there is a solution. A company called XCom Global (http://www.xcomglobal.com) rents 3G MiFi devices for Europe. For about $20/day you get your own portable WiFi hotspot, through which you get unlimited internet access and the ability to connect up to five devices at a time. Which means I can connect my phone, my daughter's phone, my tablet and a laptop. While 20 bucks a day seems pricey, it's worth it, in my opinion, to be able to stay connected. I need access to my email while I'm away, and this seems like the best way to get it. The MiFi unit also has a battery, so you can carry it with you in a pocket or purse and have internet while you are walking though the towns. If you use Google maps to get around, this is a must.
As a rule, most hotels have a WiFi connection, either in the room or in a common area, but some don't, or will charge for access. If you don't need internet on the road, you can stay connected in this way for a lot cheaper.
3. Money.
Back in the day, each country had its own currency. Marks in Germany, francs in France, lire in Italy, etc. That has all changed, but not totally. Most of Europe now uses the euro, with some notable exceptions. Switzerland is not part of the European Union, and therefore, continues to use Swiss francs--not to be confused with French francs, because France uses the euro. Liechtenstein, one of our destinations, also uses Swiss francs. From what I've read, it's always wise to carry cash and it's best to get cash from an ATM, which generally have the best exchange rates and lowest fees. Use your bank's ATM card or debit card to get cash. Getting cash from an ATM with a credit card incurs extra fees, such as a cash advance fee. From what I've read, it's best to use credit cards for purchases and hotels and cash for food and other small purchases. But you will get charged. Banks routinely charge a fee for overseas transactions. You will get the best exchange rate, though, using a credit card. Check with your bank and credit card company for a couple of things; first, make sure they know you're traveling overseas. Your card may be denied if you try to use it overseas without letting them know you're there. Second, find out what your maximum per day ATM withdrawl limit is. It's best to take a few large chunks of cash from ATMs instead of a lot of small withdrawls. You get charged for each transaction, so fewer transactions means fewer fees.
3. Hotels
The internet is a great tool for finding hotels. Google maps can zoom in on a particular area and show you the location and contact information for all the hotels in that area. Most hotels these days are reachable via email. Many have web sites. I preferred those hotels that had English versions of their web sites, because then I could be reasonably assured the hotelier would speak English. Booking a room can be done via email. I've booked a few already. The hoteliers are friendly and will respond in English within a day or so. You can tell them what kind of room you want, when you want to stay, and they will respond with availability and price. Then you just reply back to confirm the reservation. Many smaller hotels do not require a deposit or credit card to make the reservation. I will post later on how all those email reservations worked out.
4. Driving in Europe
I learned to drive in Germany, so German traffic laws are not so foreign to me. But for those who are not familiar with the driving laws, here are a couple of things to be aware of.
The Autobahn: While much of the Autobahn has no speed limit, there are parts that do, especially in construction zones and in more urban areas. Speed limits are strictly enforced. Do not cruise in the left or middle lanes. Stay right and only move into left lanes to pass. NEVER pass on the right. Be careful when approaching a long line of trucks. I always thought German trucks were grossly underpowered. They do not move nearly as fast as American trucks and when they attempt to pass another slow-moving truck, they pose a tremendous hazard.
In town: There are bicycles everywhere and they are subject to traffic laws, just like cars, and should be treated as such. Also, pedestrians always have the right of way. German streets are notoriously narrow, so use caution. Be aware of the "no parking" and "no stopping" signs. It would do you well to familiarize yourself with European signs. Most make sense and are intuitive, but you should know what you're dealing with. Google search "European road signs" for more information. One more in-town tip--cobblestones, while very quaint and European, are slippery when wet...very slippery. Our Audis with quattro handle wet cobblestones better than most, just be aware.
Other things to be aware of: If you drive in Austria, you need to buy a toll sticker. A 10-day sticker costs about 8 euros and can be purchased at gas stations near the border. Fines for not having one are 300 euros. Switzerland also requires a "Vignette", which costs about 40 francs. Check the respective countries' tourist bureau web sites for more country-specific information.
That's all for now. I'll post more as I think of more things to pass on.
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