(‘’)

Emergency Room

And even if you already have your own health insurance here in the United States, you may still have to pay for required extra travel insurance whether you want it or not. This is the “Required Travel Insurance” that can tack on a hefty surcharge to any cruise or trip. And for the unsuspecting tourist, especially those traveling on a budget, this can be a major shock, even a deal breaker, because some people simply can’t get such insurance, because of preexisting health conditions. Or, they simply can’t afford the extra cost, which gets higher for those who are older. This means that some people just can’t go some places, as a result.

What exactly do we mean by places demanding required travel insurance? Well, one good example of this is the Czech Republic. Here are the entry requirements for the Czech Republic, as stated by the U.S. State Department:

“ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: The Czech Republic is a party to the Schengen Agreement. As such, U.S. citizens may enter the Czech Republic for up to 90 days within any 180-day period for tourist or business purposes without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the periods of stay. For further details on travel into and within Schengen countries, please see our Schengen Fact Sheet. All foreigners seeking entry in the Czech Republic must carry proof of a medical insurance policy contracted for payment of all costs for hospitalization and medical treatment in the Czech Republic.”

This makes it clear that you can’t go to the Czech Republic unless you can show verifiable proof of health insurance, or some ability to pay for it while there. It’s “required.” And the Czech Republic is hardly alone in this. It gets even more complicated. As of this April 2010, citizens of the United Kingdom have to purchase extra coverage to go to the Channel Islands, because their National Health Insurance no longer will cover them there.  The same is true in reverse. So things are changing rapidly in this regard, all around the world, and not for the better.

With the onset of financial problems due to current worldwide economic conditions, expect more countries to protect their own health system’s costs by requiring travelers to show required proof of insurance before entry.  This is a growing phenomenon, and may well be “the wave of the future.”

Alaskan Cruise, Photograph by Robert A. Estremo, Courtesy Wikimedia Commons Medicare “might” cover you on such an Alaskan cruise, but not most foreign places.

And this isn’t just true of countries, this demanding of re­quired travel insur­ance. Again, cruise lines do it, as well. One company charges $245 per person (see email message below sent by the reader) as the standard fee for taking its regu­lar cruises. Longer cruises cost more. And to confirm a booking, you often have to have this. And the same goes for some tour services, as well. Prices vary, but to purchase the pack­age, you often have to pay for the required travel insurance, like it or not.

This happened to my father and me. A while back, we traveled on a Trafalgar tour. As part of the package deal, we had to pay a required travel insurance fee for each of us. Now, this isn’t necessarily Trafalgar’s demand, but to enter certain countries, all members of the tour had to have it, so Trafalgar had to charge for it. Fair is fair, I suppose. But as a side note, when my father’s back went out while we were in Venice, our tour guide was very reluctant to aid us in getting my dad to a doctor (as the brochure told us they would do). In fact, he did not help us at all, and said that “there wasn’t time for that” if we wanted to continue with the tour, although we were only talking about a standard one-hour appointment with any available local doctor.

Venice, Author, “Rambling Traveler” Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

So, feeling we had very little choice, we didn’t go to the doctor. My father did recover slowly and we believe it was just a back spasm, but for days, he was in a lot of pain. It interfered with what he could do on the tour. So in this case, even though we had paid the required travel insurance up front, we didn’t feel we realized the benefits of it when needed. That’s just som­ething to think about here, because it seems, although you may be required to have travel insurance, whether or not it will work for you when actually needed, is another matter.

Now, a lot of retired folk feel they don’t have to worry about this issue, because they have Medicare. Wrong! Medicare almost NEVER covers people abroad, except under VERY limited circumstances only, which almost never seem to apply in the real world. So, producing your Medicare card as proof of required insurance in such places as the Czech Republic, simply won’t fly at all.

What’s more, this more often than not holds true for most American medical insurance plans, as well. You often are not covered while abroad. So when some official in another country demands you produce proof of coverage, those insurance cards will often not meet the required travel insurance standards. In short, they can be worthless pieces of paper in this regard. And even if your medical plan will act to cover you abroad, they are often highly limited in what they will pay for in such instances. Medical evacuation back to the United States is often not included.

Is required travel insurance a growing problem? Yes, most definitely. As economies falter, the demand for this sort of thing is growing around the world. So, it is something travelers must take into account when they go abroad. What can be done about it? Probably, very little, I’m afraid. If a country or tour company demands required travel insurance, your only options seem to be not to go to that country, or not to use that tour business. And as more countries demand such insurance, bet on more tour companies doing the same.

Here’s the email message sent to us by our loyal Currate.com subscriber asking about the travel insurance issue:

This same piece of advice goes for everything else you do in planning your travels. Research is key to safe and fun traveling. It applies as to which countries you may want to go to, what items and documents to take with you, and what local currencies you will be using. For the last, I very much recommend Currate.com. It’s an “all-in-on,” very inclusive website where you  can determine what the local currencies are for each country you are visiting, what the current (reliable) exchange rates are, and even what the currencies actually look like.

Currate.com has actual images of over 180 currencies. And with a currency conversion calculator right there, you can check to see just what anything and everything should cost you. This way, you will avoid expensive mistakes, and even sometimes, being cheated. Currate.com even has a mobile phone feature for those whose mobiles have Internet browser capability. Just go to http://currate.com/m.php. If your mobile phone has enhanced features, then why not try http://currate.com/e.php, instead? Again, researching every aspect of your trip is paramount if you want to have a save and fun travel experience. And Currate.com is an excellent site to research all the currency aspects of your travels. Check it out! You won’t be sorry.

References:

International Medical Insurance
http://www.international-medical-insurance-guide.com/

U.S. Department of State
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1099.html

Tips For Traveling Abroad (U.S. Department of State)
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1099.html

Medicare For Expats, Or A Mess Of Pottage?
http://www.escapefromamerica.com/2009/10/medicare-overseas/

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A Not Too Crowded Flight, Author, Charlie Brewer Courtesy, Wikimedia Commons

Let’s face it; this and many other things have happened to a lot of us. Lately, due to airline cutbacks, canceling flights, and cost-control measures, more flights are flying that are completely booked. This means we’re often traveling in what amounts to an almost cattle-car-like situation.  And to be honest, sometimes, we do get seats next to overweight passengers who overflow their own, taking up some of ours. I mention this specifically, because of the recent news media flap over Director Kevin Smith being refused a right to fly for being overweight. I have no real opinion on that incident, but I do understand that both sides have some valid points regarding this matter. But sometimes, sitting next to such a person can be worse than just uncomfortable. It can be downright painful.

Case in point; I flew from Tampa to San Diego, about a seven-hour flight, all told. I was in a three-row seat, in the middle (window seat on my right). A heavy-set gentleman had the aisle seat. Now, mind you, he was a friendly fellow, and I enjoyed his company, but he did overlap his seat into mine—a lot! He literally and completely enveloped the armrest between us with his body, and his large arm and thigh were well into “my territory” (meaning he was absorbing about a good third of my seat). And unfortunately, he wore only a tee-shirt and so did I, because it was hot on that plane! With so many people on the flight, no matter how high we put our air-conditioning, it was still hot! His flesh pressed against my entire side in such an intimate way for those seven hours as to make me wonder about the morality of it all. I think you get the picture.

Director Kevin Smith, Author, Nehrams2020 Courtesy, Wikimedia Commons

For seven hours I had to endure leaning to the far right of my seat. My traveling companion pressed herself against the window to give me a little more space. We were, to use an old saying, “packed like sardines in a tin” and sideways at that, in this case. It wasn’t just uncomfortable—it was painful, at times almost unendurably so. Before the end of the trip, I had a stiff and sore neck, and this lasted another two days. I was much too hot the entire trip. I couldn’t get up to go to the bathroom, because, frankly, it was such an effort for the poor man to get out of his seat that I just didn’t wish to disturb him, although he was very good-natured about it when I absolutely had to do this. And eating meals was a nightmare! I couldn’t lower my tray to place my food on it. There was no room!

Now, am I attacking overweight people, not wanting them to be on planes? Absolutely not! He was a pleasant man, a good conversationalist, and I think he had every bit as much right to be on the plane just as much as anybody else did. I feel it is up to the airlines and/or the FAA to establish rules and/or procedures for this problem, but with the rights of all travelers being thoroughly protected in the process. How they resolve the issue is for all of them to decide and not me. I’m no expert on such matters.

My only concern was that I paid for a ticket for a seat, and I felt I should have gotten the entire seat, not one-half to two-thirds of it! I can barely afford my own flights, without subsidizing other people’s flights in such a way. And if you think I’m exaggerating this episode, let me just say this; when we landed in San Diego and went to collect our baggage, I was waiting a long time for my luggage to appear. So was an Asian gentleman. He asked me if I was on the flight from Tampa. I nodded. And he said; “Oh, that’s right. You were the one having to sit sideways next to that obese guy! We all felt so sorry for you.” See? It wasn’t just my imagination. So my feelings on this whole issue, just to mention them in passing, is that everyone who pays for a seat, should be entitled to the whole seat or seats for which they’ve paid. It’s that simple, and regardless of anyone’s size, all of our rights need to be respected.

But even though this issue is much in the news right now, it is just one possible problem we face when flying. Above, I’ve mentioned others. And all those, combined with the airport terminals themselves, finding parking, finding your correct terminal, locating our flight gates, etc., it can get very stressful to fly these days, indeed.

So here are some tips to make taking a flight a little better, a little easier:

Portland International Airport Security, Author, Aboutmovies Courtesy, Wikimedia Commons

First and we say this many times here, because it is so important; get to the airport well before your flight time. This way, if you make mistakes, take wrong turns, end up at the wrong terminal, or have trouble finding your parking location, you will have time to correct the situation without the chance of missing your flight. This helps relieve a lot of stress. And call the airline before leaving home to confirm you flight, that it is still flying at the same time. You don’t want to get to the airport to find your flight’s been moved up an hour and is now about to leave. That would be very stressful!

Secondly, when you arrive, check in as soon as possible. Remember, if you arrive late, your chances of getting bumped off your flight increases some, so get there early! And security is taking ever longer these days to pass through, so it helps to arrive early. To speed your ability to get through security, avoid wearing belts with metal, metal jewelry, or anything with metal (watches, etc.) for that matter. This will keep you from having to repeat trips through the detector. This can be nerve wracking and embarrassing for some, because inevitably, it starts to hold up the line behind you. Also, try to wear shoes without metal in them for the same reason. Slip-ons or loafers are a good way to go, because they do make you remove your shoes these days. It’s best to wear shoes that are easy-on, and easy-off. Again, watch out for metal bits.

Make sure your carry-on luggage has the right things in it. If you take medications and need to take them during the flight, you will need them with you. And, make sure you have those other things you know you will want. Whether pills, a book, or whatever, if you have them with you, rather than in the overhead compartment, it will save you having to hop up and down, blocking the aisles, and discom­moding other passengers in the process.

Baggage Check In, Author, Mattes Courtesy, Wikimedia Commons

Finally, settle in and enjoy the flight. With headphones for music or a movie, and/or your own ear plugs, you can block out most sounds around you, including those of screaming kids. A sleep mask will do wonders, too. Virgin Atlantic, at this time, issues a small free gift bag on its international flights. This includes a pen (for signing those destination country’s passport info cards, slip-on socks (for strolling about the plane in—a great idea), a sleeping mask, and several other items. I heartily recommend you bringing something like this with you. It will make your trip that much more comfortable. As for the flight being crowded, or having obnoxious neighbors who won’t stop talking—well, some things we just have to live with in this world, unless, of course, we can afford to travel first class.

But remember, flying is only a relatively short part of your travel experience. So, calm down. Try to relax and do those things mentioned above that may help you to do so. I even take along a safe, over-the-counter, sleeping aid on overnight flights. These help me to get some rest. Truth is, I have a very hard time sleeping on planes even if I manage to have my entire seat to myself.

Finally, when traveling internationally, arriving at a foreign country without local currency can be very stressing. How do you pay for anything you might need? Well, do a little checking on the Internet before you leave. You will find most airport terminals now have ATM cash machines where you can get local currency. However, beware of something else they also have, Change Bureaus. Where withdrawing cash with your debit or credit card is a relatively cheap transaction, the “Bureaus de Change” are not! They charge a higher exchange rate; often it is a much higher one to exchange money.

The best way to not fall for this, and end up with that stressful feeling of having been “robbed” by such a transaction, is to know the current exchange rates for the countries that are your destination. Check out Currate.com to find the current exchange rates for any currencies, because they have regularly and so reliably updated exchange rates for over 180 of the world’s currencies, so it’s almost a sure bet you will find the rate for the money you need. And Currate.com has an online currency conversion calculator, so you can figure out what things will cost you in your own money. No stressful surprises there! And with its “point-and-click” earth map, all you have to do is click on your destination to see it. Don’t forget that Currate.com can also be used by mobile phones with Internet Browser capability. Just go to http://currate.com/m.php or http://currate.com/e.php, if your phone is capable of utilizing more features.

Take all this advice and you will help to reduce your travel stress when flying. And remember, short, tall, thin, or heavy, we are all fellow travelers embarking on adventures. So concentrate on this aspect of things, rather than any negatives, and you will have a much better, less stressful flight.

Rob Shelsky, Currate.com Contributing Editor
Robert Rademacher, Currate.com Editor-in-Chief

References:

Getting Through Security
http://www.magellans.com/store/article/451?Args=

Flight Delays—What You Need To Know
http://www.magellans.com/store/article/438?Args=

Fly Next To A Fat Person, Get $250
http://www.bigfatblog.com/fly-next-fat-person-get-250

Travel Tips For Making Airline Travel Less Stressful
http://www.travelpost.com/articles/airline-travel-tips.aspx

Kevin Smith “Too Fat” To Fly Southwest
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20344142,00.html

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Visa Passport, Public Domain, Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

But things have changed even more radically over the last ten years than that. Where once we didn’t need passports to travel to some places, now we have to have them for everywhere. This isn’t just so we can get into those countries. It is also so we can get back into our own! Try to reenter the United States without a passport, and good luck! But again, most of us know that passports are now “a must” whenever we travel anywhere outside of America.

But what about visas? Do we need those, as well? What are they? Many first-time travelers, and even some seasoned travelers, aren’t very aware of visas, as to when they are or are not required, and under what circumstances. Many don’t even know what they are.

Well, simply put, visas are special documents that allow you entry into a specific country. For certain countries, visas are required, as well as a passport, in order to enter that country. You may be surprised which countries do and don’t demand them. Also, normally, you get them before you leave home, by contacting any embassies of destination countries that require them. And for the unwitting traveler who doesn’t know about this, it can be a real problem when they take that “dream of a lifetime” trip. Because to get it wrong, can really wreak havoc with your travel plans, and at the worst possible moment, that is, when you are actually arriving at your destination.

What’s that you say? You don’t have to worry about this, because your travel agent will let you know if you need one? Think again. First, the majority of us now are making at least part of our own travel arrangements. Who reading this article, for example, hasn’t booked their flight to somewhere, at least once? Making our own travel arrangements is fast becoming the “new norm,” and with that goes the responsibility of you making sure about whether or not you need a visa to go somewhere. And also, and I hate to say this, but since it happened to me, I’m going to—some travel agents don’t always know about these things.

Case in point: In the late 1980’s I was planning a month-long tour of Europe. At the time, in those “no-Internet” days, I relied strictly upon a travel agent. I was assured by her I didn’t need any visas in Europe. Now, this was in the days just before the European Union really came into being and each country really was very much separate with border guards, and still with the whole passport drill at each crossing. I remember Spain had intimidating armed guards at its border. Still, even there, visas were not required. But just one week before I was due to leave on my trip, I heard France, because of some internal problems, was suddenly demanding that even American visitors have a visa.

Not being sure about this, not knowing what else to do, I called my travel agent, of course, she being the supposed expert on all this. She assured me I did not need a visa to enter France (so much for her keeping up with the latest travel events of the time.) When I became persistent about having heard it on the news, her response to me was “It’s not really my problem to handle these things.”  Of course, I knew it was my responsibility to have a passport and any visas I needed, but I assumed my own travel agent could give me the latest news, at least, as to whether I actually would need them or not! She not only didn’t know, but I also had the distinct impression she couldn’t have cared less, having already received my money.

But not trusting her vague answer (and one which I felt was very ill-informed—I mean, doesn’t she ever watch the national news?), I called the French Embassy in Washington. They “assured” me that, yes, I did have to have a visa.  So in a panic, I drove to the embassy in Washington (took two days to do this at the last minute, too, because I didn’t live there), and obtained such a visa. So, I was fine on my trip abroad.

However, a large number of Australian citizens who were also taking the same tour as I was didn’t know about this problem. Result? They spent the two days we had earmarked for exploring London, instead scrambling to get in long lines at the French Embassy there, trying to obtain their visas at the last minute. Part of their trip was wiped out, lost forever, because their travel agents hadn’t known about the French visa problem. And they had left on their trip two weeks after I’d left on mine, so that was plenty of time for their travel agents to have learned of the French visa problem well before they left Australia. By the way, just so you know, France no longer requires visas. It was a temporary emergency measure at the time, but now no longer.

My point here with all this is these things do change. Countries that didn’t require visas may suddenly start requiring them. And a lot of this has happened since September 11, 2001. America started demanding certain other countries’ citizens have visas to come here, and they retaliated by demanding the same from our people. So visa requirements have been in a state of flux for a while now. Lately, they have settled down some, but remember this: It is up to you, as the traveler, to have the appropriate documentation to enter any country you wish to visit. Failure to have such upon arrival there, and again, good luck! You could, and probably will in some instances, be ordered to return immediately from whence you came.

So, which countries require visas? Well, right now, and I stress that, because these things change, most Western European countries do not require a visa. By Western European, I mean countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany,  Belgium, Lichtenstein, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Netherlands—all those we are used to thinking of as “Europe” for the last half a century or so.

However, go just a little farther east and it gets trickier. Latvia requires a visa, but Lithuania and Estonia do not. Greece does not require a visa, but Turkey does. Croatia does not require a visa, but Moldova, does. See what I mean? It gets to be a bit of a checkerboard in Eastern Europe, as to whether or not visas are required for certain countries.

In Africa, it is even worse. South Africa and Morocco don’t require us to have a visa, but many other African nations do, including Kenya, Liberia, Egypt, Nigeria, and a host of others. In fact, in Africa, more nations do require visas than don’t. So keep this very much in mind if you are planning a tour of Africa.

The Caribbean region is much the same way. Countries such as Jamaica and Trinidad want you to have a visa, but Haiti, the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, and others, do not.  And when it comes to Cuba, you have to get special authorization from the U.S. Department of State if you want to travel there as an American citizen. But there’s more.

Countries That Can Use Australia’s ETA Program, Public Domain, Courtesy, Wikimedia Commons

South America is a bit of a checker­board, as well. Peru and Paraguay want visas, but Chile and Argentina don’t. In Central America, El Salvador wants them, but Nicaragua and Costa Rica don’t require them. So again, one has to be careful.

Paraguay Visa, Author Alex Steffler, Courtesy, Wikimedia Commons

Asia is a veritable patch­work of countries that do need visas, and some few that don’t. Australia even demands an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority), which will allow you to spend up to 180 days in their country. This is a surprise, because most of us don’t think of Australia as demanding a visa of any sort.

So you see, you can’t just rely on entire regions being “okay” with regard to not needing visas when it comes to traveling abroad. And even those areas that don’t require them now, may institute them if they suddenly feel the need. And this can change, right up to the last minute before you travel, as it did with me, so you must be aware of this. It is you that will be denied entry, and not your travel agent, when it comes to traveling. So it is entirely up to you to be responsible for knowing which countries demand you have visas, and which do not. If you do know and go prepared, you will have a great trip. Otherwise, well, your holiday might turn out to be a nightmare.

Eurozone Map 2009. Author, Kolja21, Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Another con­sidera­tion when traveling abroad is money exchange rates, and which countries have what currencies. Even some countries that are now members of the European Union do not yet use the Euro. England doesn’t, for example, but Ireland does. So, you had better have knowledge of which country has what currency when traveling abroad, and what the current exchange rates are for them.

My advice; please do use Currate.com! I’ve said it before, but only because it is so true, Currate.com really is your one-stop website for learning all you need to know about foreign currencies, what they actually look like, what the current exchange rates for them are, and how to calculate different amounts from one currency to another. So for example, if you have to exchange Euros for Egyptian Pounds, at Currate.com you will find the answers you need with regard to those currency conversion rates, what each currency looks like, and how much of the new money you should end up with after the conversion. Currate.com, the travelers’ friend when it comes to currency conversions!

World's First Google World Currencies With Currency Converter, Including Currency Images

And for more information on which countries require visas, what types, etc., please follow the links below this article. And again, for your currency needs, check out Currate.com. With a marvelous online currency calculator, an Earth map of destination countries where you can just point and click, as well as images of the world’s currencies, regularly updated exchange rates, and even applications that allow access with Internet Browser mobile phones, you can’t go wrong. Try http://currate.com/m.php for this. If your mobile phone has enhanced features, then use http://currate.com/e.php. The best part; it’s all free! And it’s user friendly.

For the savvy traveler, knowing about passports, visas, and currencies is a must. Knowledge of all these things will make for a smoother trip, a more fun one, and a cheaper one! So have fun traveling, and remember that visa, if you need it! And don’t forget to have some of your destination’s local currency. You will need that, too.

Rob Shelsky, Currate.com Contributing Editor
Robert Rademacher, Currate.com Editor-in-Chief

References:

Australian Electronic Travel Authority
http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/

Peninsula Visa & Passport Services
http://www.peninsulavisa.com/visa-forms.htm

U.S. Department of State
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

Delta, Visa and Passport Information
http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/plan_flight/international_travel_information/visa_passport_information/

Visa Exempt Countries
http://www.southafrica-newyork.net/homeaffairs/visaexempt.htm

What Is A Russian Visa?
http://www.waytorussia.net/RussianVisa/Info.html

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Travel Suitcase - Author, Producer, Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

How do you avoid this growing problem? Well, one way, obviously, is not to travel unless you have to for some particular reason. As our last article stated, times are tough all over, and traveling is an expense many people are foregoing, for now, at least. However, some people just can’t do this, such as students, businesspersons, those with jobs that require travel, and those needing to visit friends or relatives. For these people, and for others who still want to travel, but need to do it as cheaply as possible, here are some more cost-cutting methods to use. Follow them, and they will save you money. These are designed for all cost-conscious travelers, and not just those going on vacation. If you combine these measures with those mentioned in our previous article, you can further, and considerably, defray the costs of travel.

FLYING: We’ve talked about researching airlines. However, no matter which one you end up with, as the saying goes, “it ain’t cheap” these days. Airlines are getting very good at tacking on hidden fees any which way they can. They do this by taking away free services, cutting employee staff, and generally charging more for existing services, as well as inventing new fees. These include fuel surcharge taxes, charges for reserving flights over the phone instead of the Internet, and added costs for checking baggage, among other things. Weight limits for luggage are being strictly observed by airlines these days. Why? Well, one reason is that if you slip up on this, “they” make more money. Go even slightly over that weight limit and it can really cost you! Checking extra bags will cost you. And for some airlines, even that first checked bag will have a charge coming with it.

Airline Travel Services - Take Off -Author MarekV, Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Also, some are charging for the use of headphones, even onboard food, and standard, non-alcoholic beverages. One friend of mine flew from Jamaica home to Raleigh. When he found out that he had to pay seven dollars for a measly cheese and tomato sandwich, and extra besides that for a beverage to go with it, he was so furious that he refused. Result? He arrived home thirsty and very hungry, after not having eaten anything of consequence for an entire day.

Yes, I know that most people don’t think seven dollars is very much. But add on drinks, add it coming and going, and add the costs of any other family members you are paying for, and believe me, that then becomes a substantial cost. What’s that old saying; “watch your pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves?” The airlines, hotels, and everyone else are sure doing it, so you had better think about doing it, too, if only as a defensive measure. You don’t want to become the proverbial “plucked pigeon,” monetarily speaking, just because you want to travel abroad.

So Rule Number 1: Call or go online and find out what all air flight charges are going to be. I mean the TOTAL charges for that flight, including the return trip; from fuel surcharges, taxes, and costs for extra baggage,to prices for headphones, food, and anything else for which they may want extra money from you. That “low” advertised price for a ticket will have expenses added to it; believe me, and sometimes, a lot! To know the total price, you must take the time to inquire up front. Otherwise, you could be very unhappily surprised and only after you’ve purchased your ticket.

Author, Sfllaw, Hong Kong International Airport Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Check to make sure that things you assume are free are in fact, still without a charge. And, try to think BYOB, if you want to save costs and cut corners. That is, bring along with you whatever you can legally do so to defray costs. If they charge you for food, this can include some easy-to-eat food or prepackaged snacks. Beverages are a problem because of liquid prohibitions on planes, but you can supply your own headphones and such, at least. And remember to do this for both legs of the trip, coming and going. If they are charging for that little pack of peanuts, bring a package of your own for you, and for your family members. Again, these so-called “nickel and dime” costs can really add up, if you aren’t careful. The airlines know this, and so play this game. If it wasn’t worth their while to “nickel and dime” you, they wouldn’t bother – trust me!

Rule Number 2: After you have purchased your ticket, pay particular attention to your baggage. Again, airlines now often charge for extra baggage, and many charge even for that first piece of checked luggage. Go over the weight limits (or even the size limits), and you could be paying a hefty extra fee.

So remember that old adage; “he who travels light, travels quickly.” And remember, in this case, “he,” or “she,” will also travel more cheaply. So take stock of what you are taking. Consider the items carefully. When traveling to Europe, I pack layered clothing. By this, I mean I pack undershirts, shirts, sweaters, and a light jacket. Combined, all these can come to less than the weight of a single full coat, and yet offer the same warmth, if necessary. Also, this method is flexible. It allows me more choice in what I choose to wear, how much I wear, and when.

Combination Suitcase And Chair Public Domain, Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Think about what you really don’t need to take. Travel irons for pressing wrinkled clothes, hair dryers, even such sundry items as toothbrushes, razors, shampoo, soaps, and such, can usually be had at the destination hotel, most of the time for free. Almost all hotels I stay at (and these aren’t expensive ones, by any means), supply irons, hair dryers, shampoo, and soap. And if these aren’t to your liking, then local shops will supply them cheaply. Buy small quantities, enough to last your stay, so you aren’t wasting money in this respect. Better to do this than pay as much as $50.00 extra because you are just a pound or so over your weight limit. That would equal one very expensive bottle of shampoo! Even if there are two of you, airlines don’t average the weight of bags. If one is over a pound, and the other is still under by several pounds, it doesn’t matter. You will still pay extra!

Rule Number 3: Have a meal, if necessary, before going to the airport. Or, bring along a snack, even a beverage. You may not be able to take liquids on the flight, but if you haven’t passed through security yet, you usually can have beverages in the main terminal. Food and drink in airports can be enormously expensive, depending on the airport. And if you get hungry while waiting for your flight, or you are just in between flights, airline food can add on costs to your trip and in a hurry! For two adults, a simple meal with a beer, for instance, at some airports, can run you $60.00 or more. So try not to give in to temptation while at the air terminal. It can cost you. The simple expedience of bringing along a bag of trail mix, or a candy bar or two, could save you big bucks – coming and going!

GROUND TRANSPORTATION: When traveling to other countries, check ahead of time as to what ground transportation is available, where it is located (with regard to airports, points of interest, and hotels). Find out the different methods and ascertain which are the cheapest and most expedient.

Subways: Although subways are usually a great bargain just about anywhere, if you are lugging heavy baggage along, climbing and descending numerous flights of stairs, struggling to get suitcases onto trains, pushing through rush-hour crowds, then subways may not be a good idea. (This is another reason to travel light, baggage-wise.) However, subways are usually very cheap and I use them. If you are planning to stay in one city for a while, you can usually get multiple-day passes, which are a real bargain. Do it.

Buses: I also use bus lines. These, too, often have multiple-day passes. In London, I buy a pass that allows me to use either the “tube” or the bus service for several days. It’s absolutely the cheapest way to get to just about anywhere in that city, and even some points beyond it. Again, lots of luggage can be a problem for this method, struggling on and off buses with heavy bags, but it’s still a very good and cheap way to go.

Taxies: Taxies in Europe or the United Kingdom, as well as other places, are usually the most expensive way to travel, and sometimes the drivers can be a bit shady, although I’m sure most are not. However, as an example, I came out of the “tube” (subway) at Notting Hill Gate in London. I hailed a taxi to take me to my hotel, which was nearby (where exactly, I didn’t know). He didn’t recognize the name of the hotel and so couldn’t find it. I told him it had to be within a few streets of the station at most, according to the description the hotel manager had given me over the phone. Nine British Pounds Sterling later, we arrived at the hotel. It was around the corner from the subway station, not more than 75 feet away. Was the driver being honest in not knowing the location of the place? I just don’t know. But in American money at the time, that cost me $20.00 to find out my hotel was less than a hundred feet from where I had hailed the taxi. Why did I hail a taxi? Because I had lots of luggage on that trip, that’s why. See what I mean about traveling light? Yes…I learned the hard way.

eurostar european high speed train Author, Leon Brocard, Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Trains: Trains in Europe are generally a good bargain, and although not so much in the United Kingdom, they still are much better than here in the United States. Also, both mainland Europe and the United Kingdom have very good train systems. Although the British system over the last ten years has worsened some, in my opinion, they still travel to many places. Trains are often, and the rides are comfortable. You can “get there from here,” on them in mainland Europe, and the United Kingdom. However, as mentioned in the prior article, you might want to consider renting a car if you plan many long-distance trips, because train fares can really add up over time, especially if more than one person is traveling.

Car Rentals: First, please understand this; car rentals always cost more than the advertised price, almost without exception! This is true whether we’re talking about here in the United States, or abroad. Fees always are tacked on. These can include insurance fees, road use fees, surcharges of various sorts, extra charges for that “extra” driver, taxes, and fees for any type of navigational devices, among others.

So, here’s that BYOB rule again; if you have a navigational device, pay for a map of your destination before leaving home. Download it, and use it when you get there. Even though maps for such devices aren’t cheap, as I’ve found out, they are far cheaper than renting that navigational device from a car rental agency. On my trip last year, I was charged the equivalent of almost $32.00 USD a day for the device! And you know, it was still worth it. I saved countless hours of time in not getting lost and in gas savings. Europeans just are not great on posting street signs, or at least not where one can see them in time to be of any use. All that extra saved time went to see more things. But do check out car rental costs carefully. Know the total amount. It can be high. Still, for a family, as mentioned in the prior article, a car rental could very well be the way for you to go.

KNOW THE CURRENCIES: This is essential. Whether you are flying to locations that use different currencies, or your trip just involves one different one – know the currency! You need to know it by sight, so you don’t use the wrong bills for tips and such (as I did in Austria), and you need to know its current rate of exchange. If you don’t know that, then you don’t know what those meals, tourist sites, gasoline prices, hotel fees, souvenirs, and all are really costing you. And if you are using a credit card, well, upon your arrival home, and when that bill arrives, it can be an awful surprise. So again, know the currency, know its current rate of exchange, and be able to calculate costs so that you can translate them into your own money. This will save you money!

Currate.com: To be able to do all of this, I recommend Currate.com. It has images of almost all the world’s currencies; you can familiarize yourself with your destination ones. It has regularly updated conversion rates, so you will have timely information on what the exchange rate is. It has a Google Earth style map where you can point and click to your destination. Also, it has a currency converter calculator. Want to know what that souvenir is really costing you? Just use the currency converter calculator to find out. And with regard to that, if you are traveling and have a mobile phone with Internet browser capability, just go to http://currate.com/mbasic.php. For phones with more advanced features, use http://currate.com/menhanced.php. This way, you will have instant access to everything you need with regard to matters of currency conversion. Believe me, knowing this will save you money! And in the current worldwide economic situation, this is always a good idea.

We live in an age where corporate greed has turned craftier than ever. Again, it is the age of hidden fees, of having airlines, banks, credit card companies, hotels, and others  trying to “nickel and dime you to death.” So take my advice and fight back. And one of the best ways to do this is to know what all the costs are going to be up front. Then, you can at least try to defray them in some way. Otherwise, you are just a helpless victim. And really consider this approach, because these fees not only aren’t going away in the near future, they are going to get worse! Trust me. It will happen. And you don’t have to look into a crystal ball to know this. The future, in this regard, is sadly all too obvious.

Rob Shelsky, Currate.com Contributing Editor
Robert Rademacher, Currate.com Editor-in-Chief

References:

Ten Money-Saving Travel And Vacation Tips
http://goflorida.about.com/od/couponsdiscounts/a/moneysavingtips.htm

CNN 9 Money-Saving Travel Tips
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/traveltips/01/20/money.saving.tips/index.html

Money-Saving Travel Tips
http://www.parents.com/fun/vacation/planning/money-saving-travel-tips/

Money Saving Tips the Travel Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know
http://www.deliciousbaby.com/journal/2008/jun/19/money-saving-tips-travel-industry-doesnt-want-you-/

The Wend Perrin Report
http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/traveltips/11316

Amazing Money-Saving Tips
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2009/feb/07/budget-travel-guide-credit-crunch

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2007-2009 map of world showing countries in recession (red) or with economic slowdowns (pink). Author, Felipe Menegaz, Courtesy, Wikimedia Commons

If current styles of trips, such as cruises and “grand tours” are just not in the picture for you right now because of high costs, there are still interesting alternatives. You can still take a trip abroad and relatively cheaply. Believe me when I say, it’s still possible, because I do it.Here are some things you can do in regard to defraying travel costs in a big way. First, as always, and everyone will tell you this; research your trip well in advance! Figure out where you really want to go. The sooner you do this and the sooner you book, the cheaper it will most likely be. Last minute air flights are usually much more expensive than those booked well in advance.

Southwest Airline

The same holds true with hotels. When you book early, you can take advantage of promotional “specials,” discounts, etc. Actively look for these. Try booking your trip in the off-season for flights and hotels, rather than in the peak of the high season. You can even do it for just the week before the high season begins, or the week after it ends, and the difference in prices can be dramatic, and we’re only talking one week here, folks!

Consider allowing connecting flights as part of your trip, rather than “non-stop.” These can be cheaper (see travelzoo web site to give you the idea). Be more flexible if you can, on the dates of departure and arrival. Midweek is usually a good deal cheaper to travel than weekends, for instance. Traveling just before, or after holidays, can be quite costly.

But between air flight costs and hotels, by using these cheaper approaches, this alone could save you hundreds, or even thousands of dollars right at the very start. But it doesn’t stop there. Some destinations are much higher priced than others are. This can be for any number of reasons, but they can include location, weather, general desirability (views, etc.), being a current “hotspot,” and other various causes. However, there are also similar locations with almost all the same attributes and/or amenities, and they are a good deal less expensive, sometimes surprisingly so! So be creative. Be imaginative.

Snow covered cars at a parking lot during the Dec 2009 blizzard, Pentagon City, Arlington, VA Author, Mariordo Mario Roberto Duran Ortiz, Courtesy, Wikimedia Commons

As an example, with this abominably frigid winter, are you dying for that island vacation in the sun? Well, if you live on the East Coast of the United States, that trip to Hawaii is a long and expensive one. Just getting there can really cost, especially if the whole family is traveling. So, why not select a different island, like one in the Caribbean? It’s much closer, so travel time is much less, airline costs are much less, and the hotels often are much lower in price. Yet, you have the same tropical settings, the same sort of beaches, mountains, and aqua-blue ocean views.

Is it Hawaii? No. But then Hawaii isn’t Jamaica, either. Jamaica and other island nations are places with their own distinct national cultures, unique foods, beautiful views, and fascinating places to visit. Whether it’s those white sandy beaches, lush tropical environments, clear swimming pools, cascading waterfalls, even volcanoes, or eco-tours, the Caribbean has them. So does Central America and these also are relatively inexpensive. Why not take a trip to Costa Rica, for example? They have everything I’ve mentioned above and more.

But even with the Caribbean, choose your destination carefully. Some island stays can be far more expensive than others can. St. Thomas, for example, although beautiful, in general can cost much more for hotels, food, golf, etc., than, say, Jamaica, or St. Kitts. But even here, if you research well and early enough, there are bargains to be had. Again, your research should be all encompassing and include air flights, hotels, food costs, and any other amenities such as golf, diving, day boat trips, and such.

Southampton Portland Terrace bus stops, Courtesy, Wikimedia Commons

Even for the standard trips abroad, there are many ways to defray costs considerably. If you are traveling to Europe, again, research the trip thoroughly and book early! I can’t say that enough. And there are many savings to be had. In England, if you don’t mind comfort-style food, pubs are usually much cheaper than hotels and standard restaurants for meals. Instead of staying in expensive London, book a B&B just outside of it, in a more rural area. Daytrips to London are relatively cheap by train, and bus. Or, try renting a car to get around the country. This is a good way to go if you have your whole family with you, because train ticket costs can add up quickly. Or, do what we did, and take a standard bus and let it run its full route. They usually circle right back to where they started. I did this in Edinburgh, Scotland, and in Blackpool, and the surrounding countryside there. Again, it was fun. I hopped on and off the bus, had lunch in a pub, shopped at a flea market (the kids loved it); saw the ports, and lots of open countryside. And it was dirt cheap, as they say! I also had nice chats with locals on the bus.

I’ve just recently booked a trip where I’m staying at places for an entire week, but only at what the cost of a couple nights’ stay in downtown London would be. When booking tickets for various manor houses, the Tower of London, and such similar places, look for possible discounts. If you are buying tickets for multiple places, it will be cheaper in the long run. I did this with theTower of London and Hampton Court Palace. It was decidedly less expensive than buying them singly.

Cowley house at Broadway (Worcestershire), England Bed and Breakfast, Courtesy, Wikimedia Commons

Do you need another example? If in France, there are many lower-priced places to stay, if you are willing to be somewhere other than right in the heart of the main tourist district. Also, eating at little local cafes, or buying your “continental breakfasts” at bakeries yourself, or staying at hotels that include breakfast as part of the cost, are all ways to reduce expenses. This will help you to keep to a tight budget. Try for hostels and private homes as alternative places to stay. Use online websites that advertise rooms in such places. There are even exchange sites, where you can stay at someone’s house free, if you let them use yours in return. All the information is there on the Internet on how to help you dramatically lower costs. All you have to do is use it and research it.

No, the times may not be right for dining out at expensive restaurants for every meal for you and your family, or flying and traveling by train anywhere and everywhere you might want to do so. But, one can still travel, and sometimes quite cheaply. So, rather than a gourmet dinner in that so expensive restaurant in Rome, why don’t you try a simple picnic instead? How about that view from your hotel room’s little balcony as the setting?

Bistro 1900, Author, Croquant, Courtesy, Wikimedia Commons

I did this. I bought olives, good bread, meats, fruit, and local wine at nearby market places. So did my fellow travelers. We all shared and had a wonderful party on adjacent balconies, overlooking Rome. In England, I bought fresh produce, bread, cheeses, and cold cuts at local markets, and had a picnic in the ruins of an old abbey. It was fantastic! And, the leftover food made for good, tasty, and nutritious snacks in the Bread and Breakfast room that evening.

Try taking walking tours, instead of always using transportation. Stroll along. Walk through various neighborhoods. See how the local people really live. Eat where they eat. Drink in their local pubs or taverns. Believe me; they know the bargain places. Seek out free places to go that are fun, interesting, and really worth the visit! I walked part of the coast of Devon, England, for example, and packed my own meals for the day. I took breaks on cliff tops overlooking magnificent ocean views. And all that cost me was the price of some food from a local baker and green grocer. For a family, this sort of thing really lowers the costs of travel and it’s fun!

And at the end of the day, you can treat everyone by stopping for hot tea and a few cakes at some local village teashop. This is a lot less expensive than treating the whole family to a restaurant meal. The advantages of this sort of thing are not only reduced costs, but you get to meet more people this way (walkers are very friendly), see some of the local beauty at a leisurely pace instead of racing by it in a bus, train, or car. You really get to know the country in a different, much more intimate way.

Another way to go is package tours. These can save you a great deal of money, since they usually include all local travel in the destination country, hotels, and some meals. Also, porter fees and such are often included in the package. Rather than staying at expensive hotels, let the travel tour company handle that for you, by providing lower cost (sometimes very much lower) accommodations that are very good. Plus, such tours usually include the costs of entry to various tourist sites. Be careful though, some tour companies cater to the wealthier. So look for those that cater to the more budget-minded. Trafalgar Tours is one of these. There are others.

A finger post at Littleham Cove (west of Exmouth, Devon) Author Geof Sheppard, Courtesy, Wikimedia Commons

So, give it a shot! Don’t just give up and say that the trip isn’t possible this year. Decide for yourself that you can do it, and then go about doing it! Again, be imaginative.

Below, are some references that will lead you to various sites that may be of help in this regard. And above all, take that trip. It still can be within your budget, despite these terrible economic times. In any case, with all the pressures on us of late, what better time to take a break from them, than right now? The times almost demand it.

Rob Shelsky, Currate.com Contributing Editor
Robert Rademacher, Currate.com Editor-in-Chief

References:

Foreign Travel Ideas for the Quirky and Frugal
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/342988/foreign_travel_ideas_for_the_quirky.html?cat=16

Kayak.com
http://www.kayak.com/

Virtual Tourist
http://www.virtualtourist.com/

Wiki Travel
http://wikitravel.org/en/Main_Page

Trafalgar Tours
http://www.trafalgar.com/USA/Home

Affordable Tours
http://www.affordabletours.com/

Eurotrip
http://www.eurotrip.com/

Rick Steve’s Europe
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/tips_menu.htm

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Cruise Ship in Ensenada, Mexico, Author Tomás Castelazo, Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Or is it? Did you know you don’t necessarily have to fly, not if you have the time? Yes, we all know about trains, and those are great for actually “seeing” places, the actual countryside throughout mainland Europe, as well as the United Kingdom, and other destinations. But how about when it comes to having to cross the oceans? Then our alternatives are less, of course, but there still are alternatives.

For instance, cruise ships offer one way to go. It is actually possible to travel from one location to another, without having to perform a cruise “loop,” as in, say, a Caribbean cruise of the islands, which starts in South Florida and ends there. Instead, you can actually take part of the cruise, in some instances. Or, for example, just go from New York to London. As the article, One-Way Cruises, mentions, you can take the Fred Olsen Cruise Line, which starts and ends in London, but only stay aboard until you reach Los Angeles, just a part of the trip. Some cruises start in an American port and finish in another, so that you can use them to get from point “A” to point “B.”

With cruise ships, you must allow for considerable time, since they stop at many ports for the entire day in order to allow the regular passengers to enjoy them. And, of course, cruise ships entertain and feed their passengers constantly, so if that’s your thing, and you are in no rush, then cruises ships are one way to avoid having to fly. Cruise ships also allow you to take extra luggage without penalties, which is another good thing for those of us who can’t exist out of just one or two small suitcases for weeks at a time. The drawbacks? Well, cruise ships don’t always go where you want to go, they can be expensive, as well as being very crowded.

Freighter, Courtesy Wikmedia Commons

There is another alternative. This one captures my imagination; that is, traveling by freighter. Why? Because when I was young, my parents took me down to the docks in San Diego, California, to look at the ships. We were standing on one pier, as my ex-navy father pointed out the various features of a cargo ship. Suddenly, a crewman hailed us from on board. He invited us to tour the vessel. With some trepidation, for my mother had fears of us all being “shanghaied,” we boarded the ship. The crewmember, an accommodating Greek man by the name of Erasmus, gave us a complete tour of the entire vessel. We met other crew, and then to our surprise, were invited to lunch with the captain and officers. There we were, eating a sumptuous meal, with stewards in attendance, and chatting as best we could with our hosts. It was a wonderful experience, and one I’ll never forget! So traveling by freighter is something I suggest you might want to do.

Freighters often have room for a few passengers and surprisingly, their accommodations are quite good with spacious staterooms. These are often bigger than cabins on cruise ships. What’s more, traveling by cargo ship allows you to visit sometimes very exotic ports, not just ones on the usual cruise lines’ itineraries – translation – “tourist traps.”

Exotic Port of Hong Kong, Author Acred99, Permission Matthew Laird, Carl Manfred Luig, Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Also, although the food is quite good if not very varied, the hours in which you will be served meals are far more limited than on a cruise ship. However, many cabins have storage spaces for you to stock some of your own food specialty items, and often passengers have access to a pantry whenever they wish. However, standards of accommodation all depend on the freighter in question, and the price they are charging. The higher the price, the more likely you are to get all the amenities. Speaking of prices, it is more the rule than the exception that freighters are far cheaper than cruise ships, precisely because they don’t offer an endless, diverse variety of entertainment, and round-the-clock meals. So if price is of importance to you, think about traveling by freighter. And don’t fret, because freighters’ accommodations are usually well worth the money you do pay. Times have changed, so have the standards of service on cargo ships, and for the better.

What are the positive attributes of traveling this way? Well, instead of just trying to “get there,” to start having fun, you will probably enjoy the journey itself. The freighters mostly have some sort of bar, often at least a small swimming pool, basic gymnasium and/or sauna, and even a lounge with books. Again, do remember this varies from ship-to-ship, and if the ship is French, for instance, those books might be predominantly in French. So take some bestsellers along with you. Take whatever helps you pass the time. Also, the cabins/staterooms often have many amenities, including such things as board games, CD players, and such.

However, when traveling by freighter, your emphasis should be on having a leisurely experience, of getting to know people, the ship and the crew, and of often entertaining yourself. There will be very few other passengers to mingle with, but that makes you special. You will undoubtedly meet the captain, officers, and many of the crewmembers. All told, between the ship’s crew and the few passengers who are on board, there may be no more than 30 or 40 people aboard a freighter at most, as opposed to perhaps thousands on a cruise liner. Children will probably be non­existent. So take the opportunities offered of any tours of the ship that may be given. Learn the vessel. Attend the evening get-togethers, and above all, relax!

Finnish Cargo Ship, MS Global Freighter, Stateroom, Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

What are the negative attributes? Well, freighters usually do take longer to “get there,” because they have to load and unload cargo at different ports, hence the term, “slow boat.” Ports-of-call can change suddenly and so you may be disappointed if you had your heart set on seeing a particular one. And freighters don’t tarry long at such ports. They get in, unload, load (however long that may take), and then get underway. Sometimes, they do have delays, waiting for a berth at a particularly crowded port. These can even be several days in length.

Bridge and Helmsmen of Freighter, Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Once in port, your freighter is usually at an industrial one, not one geared for tourists. This means you will have to come up with your own means of getting somewhere interesting, in town, or wherever, and you had better have some of the local currency ahead of time. For this, I suggest using Currate.com. Currate.com’s website, is very user friendly. They have actual images of over 180 currencies, an online currency conversion calculator, and a Google-style world map you can use to just point and click to your country of destination. Currate.com even has a mobile phone feature for those whose mobiles have Internet browser capability. Just go to http://currate.com/m.php. If your mobile phone has enhanced features, then why not try http://currate.com/e.php, instead. This way, you will know the local currencies by sight, know what the current conversion rates are, and can take along some of each currency ahead of time. So, if you need to hire a taxi at the docks to get you to town, or hop the local bus, you’ll have local money to pay the fares.

And speaking of fares, these really do vary for travel by freighter. They differ based on which ship you are taking, the company involved, where you are traveling, how far, and when. Also, you must use a travel agent to book your trip. But they are still far cheaper than cruise lines. For instance, an 84-day trip, hitting ports in the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Pacific, can go for as little as $10,000. That’s almost three months at sea, numerous ports, and all your meals and lodging covered. Compared to standard cruises, that’s an incredible bargain!

One great site, which is set up very similar to Currate.com’s Google-style Earth map, is:

http://www.strandtravelltd.co.uk/voyages/destinations-and-prices/. Here, you can click on your start and stop locations, and it shows you the full length of the voyage and costs, or points where you may board along the way at considerably reduced costs. For instance, the cost for a partial trip aboard a freighter shows:

Hamburg – Singapore 33 – 37 Days
Cost: £2,845 or $4,629 . (Currate.com )

That’s over a month of travel, various ports of call, and going half way around the world or more, into the bargain. Consider what a whole month on a cruise ship would cost compared to that freighter. Really, when it comes to prices, there is no comparison.

Does traveling by freighter have its drawbacks? Yes, but if you have the time, they can be an eye-opening, marvelous, casual, relaxed, and comfortable way to take a journey. Always keep in mind, though, that where you embark and debark can depend on the particular freighter, its schedule, and rules for passengers booking trips. So do your research. Also, freighters are generally smaller than cruise ships and lack stabilizers. This means you will feel the motion of the sea more. If you are prone to seasickness, then freighters may not be the way to go for you. But if this isn’t a problem, why not try traveling by cargo vessel for a change? It would give you a chance to enjoy the trip itself, rather than just trying to “get there.” That’s something our times seem to have lost, that ability to have fun during the trip, as well as at the destination. Freighters, as in a ‘slow boat to China,” could bring this back for you. It allows you to “stop and smell the roses,” or in this case, the salt air.

Sunset in Tawian, Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Rob Shelsky, Currate.com Contributing Editor
Robert Rademacher, Currate.com Editor-in-Chief

References:

Brief History of the Cruise Line Industry
http://www.jobmonkey.com/cruise/html/a_brief_history.html

Welcome to Strand Voyages
http://www.strandtravelltd.co.uk/

One-Way Cruises
http://www.petergreenberg.com/2009/09/29/one-way-cruises/

Travelers Not Tourists
http://www.strandtravelltd.co.uk/voyages/travellers-not-tourists/

Destinations And Prices
http://www.strandtravelltd.co.uk/voyages/destinations-and-prices/

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Europcar Counter – Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

And that’s one of two major reasons why we fly so much. The matter of time; we never seem to have enough of it. We often have to get where we’re going in a hurry. The second reason is distance. Our country spans the entire width of North America and beyond. You have few travel choices if you want to get to Hawaii, for ex­ample. It’s either by plane, boat, or swimming, and I don’t like sharks. And boats make a lot of people seasick (not me…). So to belabor an obvious point, that means having to fly there.

But truly, the scale of our country is remarkably large compared to most European countries. Have you ever considered the distance from Miami, Florida to Anchorage, Alaska, for instance?  It’s 4,005 miles!

Maui Uaoa Bay Hawaii – Authors, Forest and Kim Starr Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

I did a month-long tour of Europe that included England, France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Belgium, and the Netherlands, and it came to just about the same mileage as that trip from Miami to Anchorage. And that was the complete loop in Europe. Here in America that mileage only gets you to Anchorage, but doesn’t get you back. So, there’s no doubt about it, flying is often a necessity here.

Transportation In Europe - Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

But not in Europe; once you’ve arrived there, flying is definitely not the way to go in my opinion. Being so much smaller an area, having such incred­ible diversity in cultures and geo­graphies all crammed so close together, Europe calls to the traveler to actually traverse it by some surfaces means. So if you have the time, want to really see things, you should travel in this way. Europe has a marvelous train system, as well as great subway infrastructures in most major cities, and equally impressive bus networks in most countries.

But being Americans, and having had a long love affair with our cars, we do love to drive as well. Here, many people drive across country just for the fun of it. This sort of thing has been popular since the days of “Route 66,” and even before then. We Americans do love to drive when we can. And driving in Europe allows the traveler to get off the beaten path, to explore areas otherwise denied to them. So I highly recommend renting a car while abroad, but with some caveats.

Route 66 Road Sign-Fabio Pozzato Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

First, there is the problem of insurance. It can be expensive. And, reserving you own car by Internet, although often a good way to go, can be tricky. When going to Portugal, I rented a car online in advance, through National. Upon arrival at the Lisbon Airport I went to pick it up, only to find that they insisted upon my either posting a large sum of money as a “bond,” or paying over $200 for extra insurance. Nothing on the website had warned me of this. What I thought was a cheap deal turned out to be not so cheap! What could I do? I ended up by paying the extra money.

So when reserving your car, make very sure you know the full price of that rental. Also, be explicit about the car you want. Europeans seem to prefer standard shift. I don’t. So if you want that automatic, reserve early, assume you will pay more for it, because you usually will.  I was too late and so had to have a stick shift. Not having driven one in 25 years, and having to do it in a foreign country on steep hills – not so great. I’d forgotten how those cars can roll – backwards! So again, reserve your car early on to make sure you get that automatic if you want it.

Another point about insurance; get the full package. Do check with your credit card company, as well, because many automatically give you supplemental insurance when you use them. But the full package really is necessary. Remember, you are driving in a strange land, with unfamiliar signs, rules, and methods of doing things. Roundabouts (traffic circles) have rules you may not be familiar with and in Europe they do use a lot of them. In the United Kingdom, there is always the added fun of doing it on the left side of the road instead of the right. Plus, because you aren’t familiar with the car’s dimensions, it’s easy to scrape a hedgerow, or stone wall. Roads in the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe can be incredibly narrow! I scraped a car on my last trip to England. It was only my left mirror, and very minor, but scraping it against a concrete wall of a covered car park didn’t do much for its look. So, full insurance is a very good idea, because that mishap didn’t cost me a thing.

Secondly, I strongly advise some type of navigation equipment, such as Garmin, Tom-Tom, or whatever please you. In Portugal, I had brought along an elaborate and expensive road atlas. It was great to use for traveling on their major highways, but the minute you leave those, enter any village or town, you can forget the maps. Road names are rarely posted in real life in these places. Once in a while, I spotted one at an intersection, inset into a corner building, but for the most part, they just seemed nonexistent. So a road map with names doesn’t help in a town without them. And there are lots of such towns.

For example, I became utterly lost in Lagos, Portugal. Again, there were very few street signs in town. Upon entering the place, within about five minutes, I didn’t know where I was. I kept trying to find my way “out,” only to find I was lost in a maze of smaller and smaller streets, some so narrow my car practically brushed the walls and it was a small car!

Casa di Cura Cottolengo, Meugliano, Turin, Italy – Laurom, Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Finally, when one street became so narrow as to be impossible to see ahead, I stopped the car. My father got out (only he could, because my door was within mere inches of a wall), and walked in front of the vehicle to see where the road led. That was nowhere, as it turns out. The road became, abruptly and without any signs or warnings of any kind whatsoever, a steep staircase down a hillside. It was very quaint, no doubt, but also very dangerous. Imagine if I had kept going a few more feet. I had to back all the way out. Not a pleasant experience, especially not after hours of driving south from Lisbon, and feeling desperately tired.

The next time I traveled and rented a car, I also rented a Tom-Tom. This was for nineteen pounds a day in England, which right now figures out to about $31.54 at current exchange rates. This was not cheap by any standards, but it worked beautifully for me, saved me tons of time and loads of frustration. England, like Portugal, seems very short on street signs once you are in a village or town. But with my trusty Tom-Tom, I always found my way. I even convinced an English friend of it’s worth. He bought one. Even the British have problems finding their way around villages, it seems.

There is also the matter of buying gasoline or “petrol.” Because my car was strange to me (a Mercedes), I had no idea how to release the gas cover. I asked two English people who were filling up to help me, but neither of them knew how either, although they really tried. Twenty minutes later, my father “stumbled” on the secret. Oh, and knowing the real price of gas isn’t easy either. In Europe, they sell it by the liter. Just trying to figure out how much that is a gallon was difficult, and then to try to convert the cost from euros or pounds to dollars in my head was even worse.

So besides that piece of navigation equipment, here is something else you should consider taking with you to Europe. If you have a mobile phone with Internet browser capability, bring it! With it, you can access Currate.com at http://currate.com/m.php. for their currency conversion features. If your mobile phone use more enhanced features, try going to http://currate.com/e.php. That way, you will always have, right at hand, the means to figure out just what that liter of gas is really costing you. And make no mistake, whether euros or pounds, their fuel stations can have very different prices. And also remember that Currate.com has actual images of over 180 currencies. This is a great feature for any traveler who finds they are moving from country-to-country with different currencies. Currate.com also has a Google-style world currencies map where you can just point and click to your destination and its currency.

USD EUR Italy World Currencies Map - Currate.com

Traveling requires preparation and that’s just as true for renting that car you want to use. And although most of us don’t like paying more, sometimes it is worth it. So, rent that car. Make sure one way or the other you have full insurance, and either bring along, or rent a navigation device to go with your car. And do remember that if you don’t like stick shifts, you should reserve an automatic well before your trip. And that expensive road atlas – well, they can be handy, but nothing replaces my Tom-Tom! I bought one as soon as I came home, and I’m downloading the European map into it for my next trip this coming March. To paraphrase, “I won’t leave home without it.” No more staircase streets for me!

Rob Shelsky, Currate.com Contributing Editor
Robert Rademacher, Currate.com Editor-in-Chief

References:

Currate Currency Tools:
http://currate.com

Travelmath
http://www.travelmath.com/flight-distance/from/Anchorage,+AK/to/Miami,+FL

How To Rent A Car Abroad
http://www.ehow.com/how_135792_rent-car-abroad.html

Renting A Car Abroad
http://www.greatgapyears.co.uk/renting-a-car-abroad.html

Road Signs In Europe
http://www.reidsguides.com/t_au/t_au_road_signs.html

Unhelpful Road Signs
http://blog.ivman.com/unhelpful-road-signs/

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My father and I had arranged flights from Greensboro to the airport in Newark, New Jersey. There was a two-hour layover there before the London plane. However, because we had to sit on the tarmac in a stuffy little commuter plane for over an hour-and-a-half at Greensboro, waiting for a flight slot, and then delays in landing at Newark, we arrived precisely when our next flight was due to leave. This meant a dash to that gate, and it was 28 large gates away! I’m guessing close to a third of a mile from our starting point.

Handicapped - Wheelchair Accessible Symbol used in public locations

So carrying all our luggage, my elderly father and I raced at top speed. He couldn’t keep up, so I shouldered his luggage, as well, to help him. We arrived there, breathless, red-faced, sweating, exhausted, and angry. And truth to tell, I was also a little ashamed. You see, I had constantly chafed at my father’s comparatively slow pace, being fearful he was going to make us miss our connecting flight. Yet, he did the best he could, poor man.

And yes, we did make the flight, barely; being the last ones to board (they held the flight, as it turns out and didn’t bother to tell us, so it seems we didn’t have to race to get there). But this was my first experience in traveling with a person who had a disability. It made me realize, as hard as it was for me, how much harder it is for them. The truth is, seeing people pushed around in wheelchairs by airport attendants – I thought they had it pretty easy. Not so! That was my ignorance and stupidity in thinking that. But in my own defense, my father’s age had not only crept up on him without his really being aware of it, but me as well. Neither of us realized he was facing new limitations that now affected the way he had to travel.

One more thing, the flight attendant who welcomed us aboard couldn’t have cared less how we felt, either mentally, emotionally, or physically. I suppose if I had told him my father was ill as a result of our frantic race, or made any sort of a scene at all, he would have just barred us from taking the plane.  Truth is if we wanted to fly, we just had to shut up and take it. But what’s the moral of this story? Well, for disabled or handicapped travelers, the onus is on them to take care of themselves. Oh yes, they can get help if they prearrange it, some assistance, and they should, but in the final analysis, it is up to the handicapped traveler, and/or their traveling companions, to arrange such things for themselves, because the truth is, if you don’t do it, nobody else seems to care much one way or the other.

Wheelchair Gate Hiroshima Japan - Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Yes, this may sound a little negative, but it isn’t really meant to be. You see, with the massive number of people traveling, most airline workers are truly overworked, and have trouble just keeping up with their normal duties. So, it isn’t unreasonable for them to feel that you should make your arrangements for traveling. After all, they do offer services for the handicapped and disabled, if asked ahead of time, if prearranged.

And that’s what you as a handicapped individual or traveling companion to such a person, must do. Plan ahead of time! Take EVERYTHING into consideration. For instance, what I do now is allow for even greater layover times between connecting flights. Two hours used to be about right, I felt, but now I go for four, or even five hours. Even more, if customs is involved, because between that, collecting and rebooking luggage, security checks, going to the next gate, etc., time can go by quickly. I don’t want my father having to do something he physically shouldn’t, endanger his health in any way, just to make another plane on time. It just isn’t worth it.

Also airlines, as mentioned above, do offer assistance to disabled passengers, including the use of wheelchairs, etc. Allow time for this, because it takes time for them to get to you. It also takes time for them to board you, so you must be at your gates before boarding commences.  The same holds true for many other means of transportation, trains, buses, and taxis, but again, you can’t just take it for granted. You must arrange things ahead of time, be aware of what’s available there.

Wheelchair Lift Tijuana Trolley San Diego, California - Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Furthermore, you must research every place you are going, every airport, train station, and anything else you are using for transportation. If they don’t have escalators, check to see if they have elevators. If you need to go to a different terminal, make sure the transportation there is handicapped accessible. Again, it is up to you to make sure that they have what you need, because once there, if they don’t – well, good luck. You might just end up dealing with a flight attendant such as I did – one who obviously didn’t care! This brochure from the Department of Transportation, New Horizons, Information for the Air Traveler with a Disability, is a big help and makes for a good starting point.

Pittsburgh International Airport Wheelchairs Services - Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

And don’t just research air terminals, bus depots, and trains stations. You also have to make sure that you have cash in the local currency when you need it, because for someone in a wheelchair, for instance, suddenly having to arrange to get somewhere to get that currency may not be at all easy or quick. You could well spend half a day in the effort, pay too much, and use up a lot of time on a trip that is precious, perhaps even a-once-in-a-lifetime one. So with regard to this problem, use Currate.com. It’s the best way I know, truly, to find the current exchange rates. Currate.com has reliable, regularly updated exchange rates. It has actual images of over 180 of the world’s currencies.

And with Currate.com’s currency converter calculator, figuring out how much currency you need, and more importantly what it should cost you is so easy! Currate.com even has a Google World Currencies map where you can visually select the country of your choice and just go there. Truthfully, it doesn’t get much easier than that.

And for those who are handicapped, instead of trying to navigate their way around in crowded places to find this information on displays in busy terminals, they can just use their Internet browser capable mobile phones. All they or anyone has to do is just go to   Currate’s Mobile Basic Currency Tool. For phones capable of more advanced features, you can use Currate’s Mobile Currency Tool with Currency Images.  This way, the traveler, handicapped or otherwise, has instant access to everything they need with regard to matters of currency conversion. They don’t have to go anywhere to find this out.

Currate.com Mobile Version - available on iPhone Web

Remember also that you have to make sure of those hotels, as well. Many older and smaller ones just aren’t handicapped accessible. I’ve been in some that have such steep and narrow flights of stairs that even healthy people are in trouble.  There are places the disabled or handicapped just won’t be able to go, such as historic buildings that aren’t handicapped accessible (castles, towers, fortresses, many manor houses), so be aware of this ahead of time and plan your trip accordingly.

There are always alternatives to climbing those endless flights of stairs to get a panoramic view. For example, if you can’t handle the equivalent of a 30-story climb to the top of Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London, then why not try the London Eye? The view is just as spectacular.

The important thing to keep in mind is that for the handicapped or disabled traveler, whether older or just a child, much is still possible. Traveling can still be a great and rewarding experience, and a lot of fun. But it does mean that the handicapped traveler, and any traveling companions, must research and plan. They should also be flexible. They should be willing to travel a little more slowly. And if someone in the party just has to climb those stupid stairs and can do it, let them. I, for one, could have just as much fun in some tea shop or a drink in a local pub, just chatting and getting to know other travelers, or even some of the locals. After all, there is more than one way to have fun while traveling!

References:

Slow Travel
http://www.slowtrav.com/europe/disabled_travel.htm

Access-Able Travel Source
http://access-able.com/dBase/links.cfm

Rick Steves’ Easy Access Europe
http://europeforvisitors.com/europe/articles/rick-steves-easy-access-europe.htm

How To Travel With Mentally Handicapped People
http://www.ehow.com/how_2038705_travel-mentally-handicapped-people.html

Kids Vacations for Disabled Children And Parents
http://www.beachcalifornia.com/california/disabled-kids-vacations.html

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