What do I do about money?

In three of the four countries on our itinerary, we will be using the euro as currency. You can use the Currency Converter link in the frame to the right to determine the latest exchange rates. These rates change daily. In Germany, Italy, and France, we'll be using euros while in Switzerland we'll need Swiss francs. We'll start in Germany, so I suggest that you have at least $50 converted to euros so that you'll have money in your pocket when we arrive. Most airports have places to exchange currency, but you'll pay a fee every time you exchange money.

When we're ready to move to Switzerland, our tour director will guide us to the best places to exchange our money for Swiss francs, and when we get ready to leave Switzerland, if you have money left over, you can exchange it for euros.

The best way to handle money on tour is with an ATM debit card. Check with your bank to find out how much the bank charges to convert currency. ATM machines are plentiful in Europe, so you'll be able to use your card to get currency. But you'll want to minimize the number of times you use the card to minimize the currency conversion fees. I don't recommend carrying a lot of cash, but you should probably carry enough for about three to four days and limit your withdrawals—and thus your currency conversion fees—to four or five.

Remember that whatever foreign currency you carry home will have to be converted back to U.S. dollars before you can spend it. Check the rates to determine the best way to get the most for your dollar—or euro—or franc. 

Before going to your bank to purchase euros, shop around. Some banks require a minimum currency conversion of $250; some credit unions do not. Fees and amounts vary.

Also don't forget to notify your bank in advance of the dates we'll be traveling abroad; if you don't, your ATM card may not work!

Today, 1 euro would cost you $1.33.

Packing Tips

Here are some general packing tips for the trip to Europe:

Lay out everything on the bed. Put half of it back. Seriously! You should start thinking now about what you can do without. First, you will have to carry your luggage up and down hotel stairs and to and from the bus, which most likely won’t be parked at the front door. Second, you need to save space for any souvenirs you may choose to buy. Third, who wants to worry about luggage when there is so much to see and do? Simplify!

Think seriously about the size of everything you carry. Do you really need a whole bottle of shampoo and a whole bottle of conditioner for 11 days? Of course not. Buy the 99¢ sample bottles. Do you really need a hair dryer, a curling iron, and a straightener? Do you really need a razor? Remember that you are in Europe, and no one there knows you anyway, so why worry about the hair style? Pull it into a ponytail or pack it under a hat, and go! Grow a beard (men only)! Remember that we will be ending the day late and starting the day early, so you don’t really want to have to get up 2 hours early to fix your hair! Start working now on a low-maintenance style that you can wear throughout the trip. Cut down the appliances, which can be major headaches to pack and carry. Another option is to work with your roommates, if you don’t mind sharing – one person brings the hair dryer, another brings the curling iron, another brings the straightener.

Blue jeans are so American, but blue jeans are HEAVY! Could you get by with khakis or some other style of pants or shorts that weigh less? Every pound counts! Check out some of the travel gear made of lightweight fabric. In addition to being less weighty, they also tend to be fast drying, so you might get by with less simply because you can wash and hang-dry a pair of pants or a shirt o’nite. If you can cut out two or three items of clothing, your suitcase has loads of extra room, your shoulders ache less, and you are a happier traveler!

One of the best ways to avoid having to pack coats for cool weather is to layer. Pack a couple of loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts for cool days, and layer them over more seasonal clothing. Forget the jackets. If you look at the average temperatures noted on the blog, you will see that we aren’t expecting any cold weather. Still, a long-sleeved shirt and rain gear are advised. My preference is a lightweight raincoat that folds into itself rather than an umbrella, which can be cumbersome to pack and carry.

We’ll continue to post travel tips. Meanwhile, send us your questions!

        

Here are a couple of pictures taken from the Mount Pilatus excursion. The view on the left is the ride up the mountain and the right is a view from the top. That little white object in the lower center of the photo on the right is a church! Mount Pilatus is an optional excursion, and you can register for it now at EF's website. If you decide on trip to join, you'll pay a little extra.

Welcome to Our Travel Site

Welcome tour participants! This is your blogspot for info, news, tips, and discussions about our trip to Germany, Italy, & Switzerland (and for some on to Paris). Under "LINKS" on the right column you'll find a growing list of links to pages with helpful information for tour participants. You can also browse our past EF trips—some of you have been with me for four trips, and this is my 5th trip. The old blogs will give you an idea of what's ahead and what to expect in Europe, especially the 2009 trip that included some of the same sites.