Albania tour agency; inexpensive buffets in Bermuda; restaurants in London, and guide in Rome
REPORT ON ALBANIA…
Money Matters
Exploring Greece — on our own and on a budget
by Harriet Hughes; Alexandria, VA
Highway across the Serengeti? Cruise lines' tipping policies.
Dear Globetrotter:
Welcome to the 429th issue of your monthly overseas travel magazine.
South Sudan’s first steps
On July 9, 2011, the Republic of South Sudan became the world’s newest nation. Breaking away from Sudan and forming its own government, the new country has survived civil war but faces many challenges.
Issues include resolving a bloody border dispute, settling the economics of oil (South Sudan produces it but must, by agreement, use shipping and refining infrastructures in Sudan) and battling corruption and poverty. The US Department of State warns of the risks in South Sudan and the border region between Sudan and South Sudan.
Chip-and-PIN cards from US banks. Also, inspect your purchases.
Dear Globetrotter:
Welcome to the 425th issue of your monthly overseas travel magazine.
If this is the first copy of ITN you’ve seen, all you need to know is that the bulk of the articles and letters you’ll read are written by subscribers to the magazine, travelers like you.
Charged through France
I traveled in France, Sept. 15-Oct. 10, 2010, and visited Paris, Lyon, Dijon and several small towns and villages in Burgundy. I used my American-issued Visa credit card, American Express card and Visa debit card without any problems at all in ATM machines and at merchants’, restaurants and hotels.
There were only two minor problems. My American cards did not work in the automated ticket machines in the Paris Métro or in the automated ticket machines at the railroad stations. However, at the rail stations I was able to use my credit cards in the ticket office.
No chip-and-PIN needed
We read the letters about using American credit cards (not the chip-and-PIN type) in Europe (May ’10, pg. 36) and were a bit concerned about it before our trip to Germany and Switzerland in September ’10; we have a MasterCard and a Visa card.
We need not have worried. Everywhere we went, we had no problems.
Credit card double whammy
On at least two occasions in Europe, when I used a MasterCard to buy souvenirs in a town busy with American tourists, the charge slip that I was given to sign for the purchase of an item priced in euros had language at the bottom stating that the purchaser agreed to have the charge made in US dollars instead, with the conversion to dollars made at a very unfavorable exchange rate.
Tipping appropriately in China
FROM THE EDITOR — Several months ago, Kathy Wilhelm of Cary, North Carolina, wrote, “I was very surprised by the reader’s recommendation that others ‘be prepared to spend $300-$400 per person in tips, not including the tip to the tour director, on a smarTours trip to China (“Notes from Visit to China,” June ’10, pg. 48).
Credit union card gaffs
When my wife, Diane, and I travel, we always advise our credit card and ATM card issuers of our travel plans, even when we leave California to visit other states. We belong to separate credit unions.