 Portugal is a stunning gem on the Iberian Peninsula that offers great food and wine, world class architecture, incredible land- and seascapes, and deep cultural roots. To make the most of your visit, keep in mind our useful Portugal travel tips.
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9/11/2024
Top 10 Travel Essentials Even the most adventurous travelers have their creature comforts. These are the things that can make your trip a little less foreign or your hotel room a little homier. As experienced travelers, we’ve put together a list of items that we’ve found make our flights and our travels a more comfortable experience.
What would you add to this list? 7/26/2024
14 pro tips for European train travel Traveling by train in Europe is a great way to see the continent and can provide travel that is quick, easy, and—quite often—affordable.
But if you’ve never traveled in Europe by train or have not done so since that study-abroad program way back when, then it’s worthwhile to keep in mind our train travel tips. 7/11/2024
Travel: How to pick the right flavor The dilemmaThis author has noted that too often people who are planning to travel internationally either for the first time or to a new destination are reluctant to seek the advice and assistance of a travel professional.
Instead, they take the suggestions of a travel blogger or social media influencer that might not have ever been to the destinations they are dreaming of visiting. Or, worse, AI-generated suggestions that pull, unfiltered, from every internet source out there, worthy and reliable or not so much. And then there are well-meaning friends and family who advise their must sees and dos based on their individual experiences. One will insist a certain place or tour experience is amazing while someone else might say the opposite. Have you found yourself in this very situation? 6/21/2024
Soiree Q&A: Flying with Luggage We get tons of questions about flying with luggage, and for good reason. It's confusing, you hear horror stories, you can't imagine a 10-day trip without all your things. What to do?
When it comes to your questions about whether to check your bag and how to keep your belongings safe while on your flight, we've got you covered with this Soiree Q&A  We are huge fans of packing light for international travel! You'll never regret it. But exactly how do you do it?
With a Capsule Wardrobe.  Traveling outside the USA with a valid passport seems a no-brainer, but for passport newbies—or for folks who haven’t worried about their passports in almost 10 years—it’s good to keep in mind a few important tips.
1. A valid passport is required for all travel outside the USA. Granted, there are a couple of US territories that do not require them, but for United States citizens traveling to Europe (and even to Canada, Mexico, and most Caribbean locations), a passport is required. Passports for minors under age 16 expire 5 years after the issue date; adult passports expire in 10 years.  What is the ETIAS? First, a little background.
If traveling to Europe for business or pleasure for no more than 90 days in a 6-month period, Americans do not need a visa. However, by 2025, Americans will need a travel authorization. Most European countries are part of the Schengen Zone--a cooperation agreement between 26 countries in Europe--and in the Schengen Agreement Americans are granted a visa waiver for business or leisure travel of up to 90 days.  In today’s changing travel environment, it’s important to protect your travel investment so you can relax and enjoy your trip. Unforeseen events such as flight delays, baggage loss or even a sudden sickness or injury could impact your travel plans. For your convenience, we offer a Travelex Insurance Services protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected.
 You’ve booked your trip to Europe, made sure your passport is in order, packed your bags, and now you’re off on that trip of a lifetime.
What you might not have thought about is what to expect at your hotel. In the USA., hotel standards are pretty consistent. You know what to anticipate at a Motel 6 and what to look forward to at the Four Seasons. In Europe, the lines are not so clearly drawn. In order to avoid disappointment and frustration, it’s helpful to know what to expect during your European hotel stay. 1/19/2023
8 tips for renting a car abroad Self-drive options when traveling abroad give the most flexibility to travelers. Yet it’s important to consider whether it’s the best option for your particular destination and needs.
Here are 8 tips for making your decision and following through should you decide to rent a vehicle while traveling. 12/14/2022
Europe tipping guidelines Americans are used to tipping in restaurants and for certain services, but when traveling abroad we are easily confused by what is customary and considerate. Every destination varies in tipping practices, but in Europe you can generally consider:
 The deadline by which American travelers need a REAL ID or acceptable alternative to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities has been extended to May 2025.
11/22/2022
International Phone Use In recent years phone companies have made international service much more simple and affordable.
To stay in touch with loved ones back home, it's usually easy to make free internet-based calls via complimentary WiFi in hotels and other hotspots. Skype, WhatsApp, and iPhone's Facetime are great options for messaging and calls. If you have a need to text to numbers outside your carrier or call landlines in the USA, you can purchase a temporary International calling plan from your phone service provider. 9/20/2022
Adapters and Converters Travelers abroad often assume they need to add a small, but weighty, converter to their packing list, but a converter often isn’t required.
Why? Well, first, a quick vocabulary lesson: Converter: this little box actually converts the voltage of the appliance or electronic item from your country’s typical voltage to that of the country you are visiting. The USA, most of the Americas, and Japan operate on 110/120 voltage. Most of the world, however, runs on 220/240, to include Europe, Africa, Australia, and most Asian countries.  If you haven’t flown abroad lately—or ever—you might feel a little confused about the regulations for flying to or within your international destination. Keep these pointers in mind, and you’ll do fine
 Deciding whether to take credit cards or local currency on your vacation—and if so, how much—is a common dilemma travelers face.
Here, 10 points to consider: 1) First of all, alert your bank to your travel plans in advance so that your debit and credit card spending will not be blocked overseas. It is advisable to take both a credit card and debit card for emergencies even if you do not plan to use one of them. It's also a good idea to take more than one card in case there is a glitch and the card is not accepted at a certain vendor location or on a certain day.  Use our simple chart below to discover the difference between the US Customs & Border Patrol’s Trusted Traveler Programs (Global Entry and TSA PreCheck) and their phone app, Mobile Passport Control, to determine if one of these programs is right for you.
6/22/2022
Deciphering the European VAT Europe’s VAT—the Value-Added Tax—is essentially a sales tax, and can sometimes be refunded. That’s the good news. Every year, however, tourists leave behind millions of dollars’ worth of refundable tax.
Pro Tip: In order to secure a VAT refund, be sure to take your passport shopping with you and ask the retailer to complete the necessary paperwork. If they leave any portions of the paperwork blank, be sure you know how to fill them in.  The Schengen Agreement between 26 European countries eliminates border controls for individuals traveling between those countries. In other words, once inside the Schengen “zone,” travelers are not usually required to pass through customs or show their passports when going from one country in the Schengen Agreement to another.
An additional benefit for many travelers to Europe is that the Schengen Agreement eliminates the need for visas in many countries, depending upon the purpose and length of their stay.  The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free and easy service of The Bureau of Consular Affairs of the US State Department. We call it peace of mind.
11/5/2021 Packing tips & hacks Pack light, pack light, pack light! If you have your passport, vaccine card, and credit card, then don't stress.
Worried about forgetting something? You can buy just about anything you need in most destinations. Tips & hacks: 11/4/2021 Packing your carry on Carry on space is getting smaller and tighter. We recommend a backpack rather than wheeled carry-ons, especially if you don't want your carry on bag gate-checked.
And if you have to manage your own bags on your trip, you'll be so glad you aren't rolling more than a piece of checked luggage! Pack in your carry on:  We get chills seeing the vast Louvre treasures in person, but this free online collection produces its own real thrills.
3/5/2021 2021 is the year of Dante The anniversary of Dante Alighieri's death, author of The Divine Comedy and a man of controversy, will be commemorated throughout 2021 in Florence, Ravenna, and 70 other towns and villages. Now THAT's a celebration!
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