Tagged With "Weak Euro"
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Re: Notes and Noticings from the road
I am looking forward to your comments on the costs (direct and indirect) of getting those Sterling and Euro notes. I often look at the buying/selling rates advertised at exchange places with sheer disbelief! You probably used other ways to obtain your cash, but I expect the banks still got a sizeable chunk of your hard-earned money.
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Re: Staying In Touch on the Road: Part 1
It's a nightmare! A fair chunk of my packing now includes various chargers, connection cables and mains power adaptors for phones, iPads, Kindles. cameras.... Oh, plus a universal backup power supply battery (RAVPOWER - good value) in case I cannot get to a mains socket - just to keep in touch! I have to say that the Euro proposal to have ONE single charger for all devices has some merit!! PS - watch out that chargers that are sold as suitable for iPhones are often not powerful enough to...
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Re: Renting an apartment in Europe
Of course, you don't have to cook. But it is nice to make a pot of coffee in the morning and eat nice warm croissants fetched from the bakery down the street, before you venture out into the city. It's also pleasant once in a while when you are tired at day's end to pick up something to heat in the microwave and maybe a bottle of decent wine for only a few euro, and sit with feet up and watch TV. Ahhh....
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Re: Do you Like these Hotel Tipping Tips ?
I just don't know what to think. Does every question to a front office staff or concierge deserve a tip? How many envelopes do I need to carry for three weeks for housekeeping? If you are fortunate enough to get twice daily service do you tip both times? On my last trip because it was low season, we spoiled ourselves with a very nice hotel.... I admit more times than one desperately searching my pockets for change or (gulp) even a five Euro note... I understand that hotel staff does not make...
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Re: Do you Like these Hotel Tipping Tips ?
Remember these recommendations were in essence from the hotel owners. They are trying to have the consumer subsidize the poor salaries many of them pay. I'm a reasonably generous person, and I realize that most hotel employees are not wealthy, but I don't tip at those levels. I usually leave a few bucks for the maid if a good job is done, and for an excellent bit of advice or help will as well. But if I ask the concierge where the nearest bus stop is, that's his job and not worth the five...
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Re: Do you Like these Hotel Tipping Tips ?
Before I retired, I traveled quite a bit on business, both inside the U.S. and abroad. I still travel frequently to racing and club events, but almost all are in the U.S. or Canada. That said, here’s my take on tipping: Restaurants – According to the sources I checked, in the U.S. the Federal minimum wage for tipped employees is $2.13. Most states have set higher amounts, but food service workers are still generally paid much lower wages that other ‘minimum wage’ employees. Unless the...
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Re: Where in North America is the Euro the official currency?
Well, here's a bit to add, about the largest place in South America where the Euro is in use: French Guiana, which is technically a part of Metropolitan France (even Presidential candidates visit to drum up the vote!). Therefore, the bridge completed in 2011 and scheduled to open for traffic next month over the Oyapock River, will be the first permanent road connection between France and Brazil! More information HERE .
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Re: Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart
Sounds like a great attraction Rob. I will certainly be adding this to my next Euro trip. I'm gonna have to Google it now to see more !
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Re: Shhh! Your suitcase is disturbing my sleep!
It seems so sureal an idea that it has to be true! A city that has no roads, making the only way to get to most places by walking signifcant distances down narrow lanes, wants to discourage its lifeblood, tourists. "K, granny, you can carry that 50 lb bag for 10 minutes, or pay a 500 Euro fine, or we head down to Florence. What will it be?"
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Re: Euro Keeps Dropping.Is Parity With US Dollar Next?
If you have reservations pending in Eurozone countries, now might be a good time to pay ahead; while the Euro may drop further, it might begin to rise a bit before summer.
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Re: Guide to Greek Holidays, Summer 2015-style
That's all good information, PHeymont, thanks. No one knows how the Greek people will react to this, but there is a possibility of riots and demonstrations. Perhaps violence -- there is no way of predicting. The crisis will have a major impact on the Greek quality of life. I've heard some estimates that if Greece makes a new currency, it will have only a fraction of the buying power of the Euro, perhaps 25 cents on the Euro. That will obviously not be at all well received but its much too...
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Re: Weaker 'loonie' good and bad news for Canada travel
With the fall especially of oil prices (and other natural resources, which Canada is a major producer of), the loonie has indeed fallen compared to the US dollar but kept its relative value with most other currencies, including the pound and Euro. It seems despite a reasonably healthy economic profile, including until recently an almost balanced federal budget and low debt-to-GDP ratio, the value of the Canadian dollar is pegged to its natural resource valuation. With the pullback in the...
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Re: Walking Tours in Andalusia
Hi Pheymont I wouldn't worry about the wine and tapas portion. Things are really inexpensive her, and the tapas has been universally good. It's easy to get three or four tapas to share and a couple of glasses of wine for 15 Euro. As for the tours, we didn't take any, but I think for one day in Cordoba it would be a good idea because I think that day may feel really busy. For Sevilla, I have a mixed opinion, I really love to wonder around, get lost and then navigate my way out...but thats...
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Re: La Dolce Vita (Part 6) Murano and Burano
Great memories, rbciao! I'd like to head back to Burano some day, maybe spend 2-3 days there, just kicking back and enjoying the ambiance. We were there in May and it was not at all heavily touristed at that time, though certainly the shops were there to lighten the load of your Euro heavy wallet! Their lace was truly beautiful and my wife just couldn't resist!
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Re: Ryanair changes its tune: Plans for future growth tied to better customer service
I think RyanAir agrees with you too now! For years though ,he got in the low bargain prices in the headlines along with his outrages comments and for free.So I and others heard of the 10 Euro tickets and bought them. The budgets have actually freed up a lot of Europe into taking daytrips or weekend trips they would of never taken.
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Be careful where you make your mark!
A Russian tourist was recently fined 20,000 Euro for defacing one of Italy's most beloved national symbols, the Colosseum, in Rome. It's said to be the fifth act of vandalism to that ancient structure this year. The Russian man...
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Watch those search engines: the big ones are not always best!
I was just booking a one-way trip from Barcelona to Marseille for next summer hoping to use some points sitting on a bank-based (but not airline-affiliated) card. Imagine my shock when the ticket (which I knew should cost about $89) showed up as...
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Lisbon: Cheap, but Steep!
That’s my short take on Lisbon after two weeks there last summer. A variety of economic factors, not all connected with the Euro crisis of the past few years, have made Portugal incredibly cheap for foreign travelers—but you have to be...
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Dollar Strength Making World Travel Cheaper for Americans
A stronger US Dollar has reduced costs for Americans in much of Europe,Japan,India, Australia and many more places. The Euro on Monday was at it's lowest against the Dollar since 2006. Read More:...
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Traveling to Europe soon? It may pay to prepay...
If you're traveling to Europe in the next few months and can be reasonably sure of your plans, this may be a good time to prepay some of your expenses such as rent, car rental (especially since most agencies offer a prepay discount). the reason? The...
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Euro airlines: Delays continue in compensation for delays
Passengers waiting for delayed flights Photo: Wikimedia / Tony Hisget Passengers claiming compensation for flight delays under EU rules are finding themselves still delayed or denied in receiving the...
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Catalan nudists ask Euro court for right to bare
Fighting a local anti-nudity ordinance in a town north of Barcelona, the Catalan Naturist Club, having lost its appeals all the way to Spain's highest court, is now appealing to the European Human Rights Court at Strasbourg. The Spanish high...
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ECB Unveils Cool New Gothic €20 Banknote
The European Central Bank in Frankfurt revealed a €20 banknote with enhanced security features. The new note has a “portrait window” set in the hologram. When a light is shown on the €20 banknote , the window becomes...
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Euro Keeps Dropping.Is Parity With US Dollar Next?
The Euro reached a 12 year low today vs the US Dollar at $1.0850 . It was as high as $1.40 just last May. Spring breaks and Summer trips to Europe for Americans will be much cheaper. Read More:...
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Making Lemonade, cont.: US $ and Norway cruises
The stronger U.S. dollar versus European currencies (see previous Gumbo news items on the Euro) changes the picture a bit for U.S. travelers to the most expensive countries, and Norway's Hurtigruten Voyages, which operates cruise ships along Norway's...
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Visiting Cuba.
After 50 years of strained relations between Cuba and the US it looks likely that travel will soon be possible again. I've been visiting Cuba - for over 15 years - from the UK. - I'm British. I spend some time living in the US...
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Rome: Colosseum visitors get top-level view
The latest stage of the restoration of the Roman Colosseum has opened the upper levels, allowing a new view of ancient Rome.
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June 26, 2017: Chocolateria San Gines, Madrid
DrFumblefinger visits the most famous place to get a hot chocolate in Madrid, usually consumed with churros.
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Eastern Europe Rail Odyssey: Budapest to Kiev
Do you love unusual train journeys as much as Wilbur does? Check out this fascinating adventure through eastern Europe.
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Luray Valley Museum, Virginia
George G takes us on a tour of the museum that was the site for last week's Where In The World puzzle.
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Where to travel when you win the lottery
Everyone dreams of winning the lottery. Rock has some suggestions on places you might want to visit when you do (sponsored content)
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Ryanair at war with Spain over bags
Spanish courts have held that passengers are entitled to free carry-ons; Ryanair says 'no' and that it will defy the courts.
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Cuba Currency: Everything You Need to Know for Hassle-Free Travel Experience
Sponsored content about money transfers to Cuba.
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Europe: No more pennies for your thoughts
Europe appears to be on the verge of purging the small copper coins that now cost more to make than they're worth.
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Hertz summer plan: raise prices, cap capacity
Hertz ad featured on a Ryanair jst Wikimedia / robot Just like the airlines, Hertz is adjusting capacity in search of greater profitability. And it's also doing something they're not doing at the...
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Spain's booming tourism hits record numbers
Spain's busy beaches (Playa del Ingles, Gran Canaria, above) Photo: Wouter Hagens / Wikimedia If it seems like you've seen a stream of articles lately about Spanish towns wondering whether there's a...
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Anatomy of a Trip (planning begins in earnest)
I love planning a trip and that may have been what kept me thinking about the next one, even when I wasn’t sure there would be a next one. After a couple of decades traversing the planet, the process of putting them together had...
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Spy museum opens in Berlin, espionage capital
With a long history of spy-versus-spy in the Cold War, and all sorts of espionage intrigue both before and since, it seems only fitting that Berlin should have a museum of espionage, and now it does, with the opening of Spy Museum Berlin tomorrow....
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Airlines to Customers: use our websites!
The widespread popularity of price comparison websites, like Expedia, Priceline and Kayak, has made a dent in airlines' bottom lines. Consumers like to know what flying and pricing options are available to them as part of their trip...
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Sweden getting set for currency change
Money with star power: Greta Garbo and Ingmar Bergman on new Swedish banknotes And no, they're not adopting the Euro in place of familiar kronor—instead, they're getting ready to take on unfamiliar kronor, as all of Sweden's bills and...
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Top Euro car renters agree to be fair to customers
Just a little nice, that's what they promise. Counters at Lourdes Airport, France Europe's "big 5" car rental companies have pledged to align their policies and contracts more closely with EU consumer policy, and to be more transparent...
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Spain, Portugal gain tourists in Greek crisis
Lisbon—a winner as the Greek crisis cuts into Greek vacation bookings One man's famine is turning into another man's feast. As tourist bookings for Greece stumble in the midst of the Euro crisis and uncertainty about supplies of money,...
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Guide to Greek Holidays, Summer 2015-style
World events are pushing their way to center stage for travelers to Greece. Here's some practical information and advice for those who are committed to going (and some travel agencies and tour companies are offering cancellation or postponement...
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Brits make exit plans in Greek crisis
Tourists in Rhodes, Greece: One eye on the exit? Photo: Freta / Wikimedia As the world watches the situation in Greece, which could lead to a default on government loans, a run on banks, an exit...
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Wandering in Frankfurt's Lost Altstadt (Where Gumbo Was #138)
As a number of Gumbo readers figured out, Gumbo's latest "Where Was" was Frankfurt am Main, Germany's economic capital and home, as the giant Euro sign reminded us, to the European Central Bank. Those who get the credit, in order: Jonathan L,...
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Lufthansa moves to fare-based loyalty plan
Lufthansa Group's loyalty programs follow their American cousins into 'revenue-based' scheme.
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Portugal to Ireland: Got change for a Euro?
Portugal finds itself out of small change and has to buy some from Ireland. Who knew?
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Underground cavities helping sink Rome
Authorities are worried about cavities, some of them ancient, under parts of the city which help create sinkholes.
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Dublin Airport tests honor system for snacks
Grab a snack, wave your payment card or phone, and go—that's the plan.
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Belgium: Time to scrap the small change
Belgium joins a parade of other countries that are eliminating small change.