Category: Travel Tips

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Toll Roads in France

Driving in France is not difficult. There are toll roads in France and driving on them can be a little confusing the first time you enter the ticket lanes. No need to worry if you don’t speak French. They have great pictures to guide you. With a little advance education, you can navigate these with ease.

Keep in mind, on most toll roads in France you take a ticket when you enter the highway and pay a toll when you exit.

That’s great. Now to know how to pay, which lane to use, and when to pay with a credit card.

The signs above the toll station will tell you what to do.

If you see a lowercase t, this means you can only pay by telepeage in that lane. You need a transponder and account, similar to our Fast Track in California. If you are visiting…don’t enter this lane. This is an important piece to remember. You don’t want to enter this lane if you are in France on vacation.

The simplest way to pay is to enter a lane with a green downward pointing arrow. In some cases, there will be a Euro sign. This means you can pay with Euros, either coins or bills. Once you enter the lane, insert your toll ticket in the slot marked ticket. The amount due will be displayed. You may add coins or bills until the amount is paid. The barrier will then rise.

If you want a receipt, push the Recu button.

If you have a problem, press the Assistance intercom button. Wait for assistance. Whatever you do…don’t back up.

Tolls are charged by distance. Your tolls will vary. In fact, you may find a toll road where you do not have a ticket. There is just a charge. Again, enter the correct lane and use your Euros to pay the amount listed on the machine.

We always have a bunch of Euro coins in the car. Be sure to keep the larger coins for tolls as the machines probably will not take the small amount coins.

Don’t be surprised by the amount. Tolls can get quite expensive. On a recent trip from Paris to Colmar, the tolls amounted to over 50 Euros. The distance was about 330 miles.

Check out Troyes and its History with Books , https://travelsandescapes.net/2020/02/24/troyes-and-its-history-with-books/

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Travel Notifications from STEP

When I travel I check the STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) for any alerts pertaining to the countries I am visiting. I also register my trip with STEP.

The following is an email I received lately about travel in Italy.

STEP Notifications  Wed, Jan 15, 1:05 PM (18 hours ago)
to ACS_ITALY

Exercise increased caution in Italy due to terrorism.

Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Italy. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.

Read the Safety and Security section on the country information page.

If you decide to travel to Italy:

  • Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues.
  • Follow the instructions of local authorities.
  • Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  • Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
  • Review the Crime and Safety Reports for Italy.
  • Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

Does this mean I would not travel to Italy? Not necessarily. It does mean there are extra things to watch out for when traveling there.

Have you had any experience with STEP?

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Snag Amazing Travel Deals With These Helpful Sites

Today’s guest post is from a fellow traveler and writer. Check out what he has to say about travel deals.

Image credit: Pixabay

Traveling is becoming more common with today’s ease of planning. From apps that help you bundle deals with booking flights, hotels and even renting cars, to agencies that convince you just how great of a trip you could have if you decided to see more of the world – it’s a game-changer. In today’s world, all you need to make an affordable trip happen is a good internet connection, a realistic budget, and a passion to pack your bags and leave home. 

Look for Online Deals

When you book through a trusted travel site like Priceline, you’re getting the best deals available, including offers on amazing cruises! Log in online or download the app to plan the trip of a lifetime. You can select your location and choose the dates that fit your schedule best. 

Your search will provide you with a list of the top-reviewed hotels and access to flights with multiple airlines to choose from, and it will help you determine which package discount offers you the best deal.

If you need to rent a car, look to a rental agency like Enterprise. They have many rentals to choose from and competitive rates, and there are a wide variety of deals available. You can save even more by using Enterprise coupons and promo codes. 

When it comes to buying travel items for your trip like luggage and clothing, look to save at big-box retailers. Not only can you find discounted items, but some retailers offer free gifts when you make a purchase. Stores with free gift offers include Macy’s Walgreens, and Sears.

Try EF Ultimate Break

EF Ultimate Break is made primarily for young adults looking to travel and experience a new culture without spending too much money. The company offers incredible opportunities with short- and long-term trips, including an easy payment plan system to allow travelers to pay when they can, as long as the trip is paid for 30 days prior to departure.

This pre-planned trip company takes care of everything from booking your flights to your buses, hotels and hostels, and even helps you with an itinerary. You’ll get a mixture of planned excursions that you can skip out on if you want, as well as free time to do what you wish. Each city will have a guide to show you around, and you’ll also have a tour director to ensure your safe arrival from location to location.

You’ll of course still need to bring a few travel essentials along (no one likes to be without their phone charger, for example), but if you’re looking for an adventure that includes all the big-ticket items at an affordable rate, then EF Ultimate Break may be just right for you. 

Wander Wisely With Couch Surfing

Different from any other way to save money on traveling, try your hand at couch surfing. You’ll have the option of staying somewhere safe and approved without the hefty payments of a hotel. Choose between the options of staying with somebody that literally only offers their couch, or pick a place where you can have your own room to get a full night’s rest at the end of the day. Your only worries will be actually getting to your destination, paying for food and outside adventures along the way, and having to leave when the trip ends! 

Make new friends that’ll last a lifetime through this option. You can choose who you stay with, talk to them long before the trip, and have a local tell you where all of the best places to go are. You’ll end up feeling like you’ve lived in the town forever while bonding over your new adventure. 

Traveling doesn’t have to be stressful. Let these suggested websites help you save money so that you have that extra cash to spoil yourself wherever you’re planning to travel. After all, who doesn’t love souvenirs? 

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ETIAS Visa Waiver

Recently, I read this article in both the Wall Street Journal and from a trusted travel source.

U.S. citizens traveling to Europe will shortly need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) visa waiver which is the new travel authorization for Europe that will come into effect in 2021. Similar to other countries and regions in the world, Europe has recently decided to improve its security level to avoid any further problems with illegal immigration and terrorism.

This means that, by the end of 2021, all Americans traveling to a European country in the Schengen Zone will be in need of an ETIAS. The Schengen Area is composed of 22 European Union countries like France, Italy, Germany, Sweden, and Spain, as well as 4 non-EU countries: Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. ETIAS will permit travel to all Schengen countries for short stays during its validity.

HOW LONG CAN A US CITIZEN STAY IN EUROPE?

At the moment, there is no Europe visa waiver for U.S. citizens for periods of less than 90 days. However, this will change by the end of 2021, when American citizens traveling to Europe from the U.S. will require an ETIAS visa waiver to travel to any of the Schengen zone countries for short stays.

The ETIAS visa waiver for Americans is a multiple-entry travel authorization valid for a total of 3 years from the moment of approval. During the 3-year validity of the ETIAS for U.S. travelers, it is possible to enter any of the Schengen Zone European countries which apply to the travel authorization as many times as necessary.

The total stay allowed in a Schengen country with each entry with ETIAS is 90 days within every 180-day period. ETIAS permits travel to Schengen countries for short stays for tourism, business, medical treatment, or transit purposes. To stay for longer periods of time or other purposes, American citizens are required to apply for a Schengen visa from an embassy or consulate.

Currently, there are 22 European countries that form part of the Schengen Area. They include:

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Luxembourg
  • Netherlands
  • Germany
  • France
  • Spain
  • Portugal
  • Sweden
  • Finland
  • Denmark
  • Lithuania
  • Latvia
  • Estonia
  • Poland
  • Slovakia
  • Hungary
  • Slovenia
  • Italy
  • Greece
  • Czech Republic
  • Malta

EITAS Required in Non-EU Member States include:

  • Iceland
  • Liechtenstein
  • Norway
  • Switzerland

Also included are:

  • Monaco
  • San Marino
  • Vatican City

EITAS Non-Required include:

  • United Kingdom
  • Republic of Ireland
  • Romania
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus

WHAT DO AMERICANS NEED TO GO TO EUROPE?

To obtain the Europe visa waiver for Americans, U.S. citizens will need to have a valid passport, a credit or debit card to pay the ETIAS fee, and an email account. These are the main ETIAS requirements for U.S. citizens which each applicant must have on hand when applying. Without the right travel document, applicants could have their application denied.

When applying for an ETIAS, applicants must ensure that the passport used is valid for 3 months beyond the period of intended stay of each person. It is possible that passports over 10 years old may not be accepted as a valid travel document.

Applicants with dual nationality, and so multiple passports, should ensure they use the same passport to complete the ETIAS application as that which they will later use to travel to the Schengen Area, as the ETIAS will be electronically linked to an individual passport.

When applying for an electronic visa waiver for Europe, it is necessary to provide a current email address at which to receive a copy of the approved ETIAS. As an approved ETIAS is electronically linked to the traveler’s passport, it will not be mandatory to print a copy of the visa waiver, although travelers are nonetheless advised to carry a copy with them to Europe in case of any problems with the electronic system.

TRAVELING TO EUROPE FROM THE U.S WITH ETIAS

When submitting an ETIAS application, it is important to remember that all U.S. citizens will be required to obtain an ETIAS to travel to Europe from 2021, including minors. It is necessary to submit a separate visa waiver for Europe application for all U.S. children under the age of 18. Parents or legal guardians are able to submit a European visa waiver application on behalf of a minor, although every child is required to have an individual approved ETIAS.

It is also important to note that an approved ETIAS for American citizens does not guarantee entry to Europe, it merely grants the holder permission to travel to Schengen countries. The final decision for entry will be made by an immigration officer at Schengen border control. The traveler may be asked to prove they do not intend to spend longer in Europe than the period allowed with ETIAS, by providing evidence of:

  • Return flight tickets to the United States or tickets to an onward destination
  • Proof of travel health insurance
  • Proof of sufficient funds to cover the stay

There will also be other regulations and restrictions to bear in mind when traveling to Europe from the U.S.A. which are similar to those in place at the moment, such as the right to carry weapons, importing and exporting large quantities of tobacco, alcohol or perfume, and declaring large amounts of currency.

Finally, it is important to note that an ETIAS may be revoked when the conditions for the issuing of the visa waiver for Europe are no longer met, particularly when there is reason to believe that the visa waiver for Europe was obtained by providing misleading or fraudulent information. For this reason it is essential to ensure that all of the information provided on the ETIAS form is correct before submitting the application, as even small errors may result in the revocation of an ETIAS.

Travelers whose passport expires during the validity of the ETIAS are also required to submit a new application for a Europe visa waiver from the United States in order to continue to travel to the Schengen Area, as an ETIAS is specifically linked to the travel document used to complete the original application.

DO AMERICAN CITIZENS NEED A VISA FOR EUROPE (SCHENGEN VISA)?

As the United States is one of the visa-exempt countries for Europe, American citizens do not currently require a visa for the Schengen Area for short stays up to 90 days. From 2021, however, they will be required to obtain an Europe visa waiver to stay in Schengen countries for any less than 90 days. There is no need to apply before every trip, as ETIAS permits travel to all Schengen countries during its 3-year validity.

American citizens who intend to stay in Europe for longer periods, or for purposes other than those permitted with ETIAS, will be required to apply for a Schengen visa. The length of a Schengen visa for Europe is determined on an individual basis, and it may be issued as a single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry visa. Unlike ETIAS, a Schengen visa is issued for one specific Schengen country, and applicants are required to apply in person from an embassy or consulate in the United States of the country they wish to visit.

SCHENGEN VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR US CITIZENS

It is necessary to attend an consular appointment for a Schengen visa with the following documentation in order to guarantee approval of the visa:

  • A completed Schengen Europe visa application form
  • Copies of any previously issued Schengen visas
  • A valid US passport containing at least 2 blank pages
  • Any accommodation bookings the traveler has made for their stay
  • Round trip flight tickets, or tickets to an onward destination
  • Proof of sufficient financial means to cover the stay in Europe
  • Travel insurance which covers medical care in the Schengen Area
  • A recent, passport-sized, photograph of the traveler, taken against a white background

American citizens who apply for a Schengen visa are required to submit the application at least 15 working days before the intended date of entry to Europe at the latest, to allow for sufficient time for the visa to be processed.

HOW CAN AMERICANS APPLY FOR ETIAS TO VISIT EUROPE?

U.S. citizens can apply online for an ETIAS by completing an online ETIAS registration. The enrollment will be a quick and simple process, similar to the ESTA for eligible citizens traveling to the U.S. and will take an average of 20 minutes to complete. Applicants will need to fill out an online form with their contact details and passport information, including:

  • Name and surname
  • Nationality
  • Date, place, and country of birth
  • Current address
  • Contact phone number
  • Email address
  • Passport number
  • Passport issue/expiry date

This process allows European immigration and customs authorities to pre-screen all travelers and confirm their status before permitting them entry or even to board a flight, thus dentifying any potential threats and improving security measures throughout the Schengen Area.

All of the information provided on the Europe visa waiver application is pre-screened against the databases managed by eu-LISA (European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice). eu-LISA is also responsible for the management of the ETIAS system, and will check applications against security information databases such as VIS (visa information database), SIS (shared European database to identify suspected criminals, missing people, and stolen assets), and EURODAC (fingerprint database).

It is also necessary to answer some basic security questions to submit the ETIAS visa waiver application, including about:

  • Criminal history
  • Employment history
  • Drug use
  • Human trafficking
  • Prior travel to conflict areas
  • Past European travel information

After answering all of the required security questions on the ETIAS form, it is necessary to pay the required ETIAS fee using either a valid credit or debit card. Once the travel authorization for Europe has been paid, the process is complete and the applicant will receive the confirmation for the ETIAS visa waiver via email. With an approved ETIAS visa waiver, applicants will be ready to travel to Europe.

For more information, check out https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/etias/

Let me know if you have more information.

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Review of VRBO in Pocancy, France

Pocancy, France VRBO Review

For the second week of a trip to France, we stayed in the Champagne region. We decided to rent a place in a small town.

Small was definitely the operative word.

Reading the reviews, several people mentioned a bakery nearby and a patisserie fairly close. Great. Since we liked the look of the place, the area, and the chance to stay in a rural area, we choose the place in Pocancy. Sure, it had five bedrooms and there were only four of us. Never mind it had enough room for 20 of our closest friends. We decide to go for it.

What did we find?

The place was huge. Located behind a gated, stone wall on two acres, this estate was impressive in its size. The pool was heated. Birds and squirrels provided outdoor entertainment. Walls, 18 inches thick, blocked out any and all noise. A rock band could have played a concert on the street just outside the estate and we would have never heard it.

This wasn’t a new place. It had been there a long time. The grounds were well kept, and the inside was clean and neat. They had an issue with cell phone service and slllooowww wi-fi. But, what do you expect with thick walls in the middle of nowhere?

The kitchen was well equipped. Most importantly, there were plenty of wine glasses for us to taste champagnes from our trips to different Champagne houses.

Whoever wrote about the patisserie and bakery being close did not exactly match our idea of close. We like to walk to get our morning pastries and bring them back to enjoy with coffee on the patio. In this case, close was 15 kilometers away. Not exactly walking distance.

And, the small town? It was so small, we never did see any other people coming or going. Houses were well attended with colorful flowers surrounding every front door. Somebody must live there. We just never saw them.

Location was great as it took almost no time to get to a major road for day trips to Reims, Epernay, Troyes, Hautvillers, and Ay.

All in all, this was a great place on several levels. We experienced a very small town, we relaxed, and we had never stayed in a place quite like this.

Next time…perhaps closer to a patisserie and a market.

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I Need to Bring My…

Interesting Items to Bring With You

Did you know these are allowed by TSA?

Live coral and live fish? Sure. They have to be inspected by TSA, but you can bring them onboard.

How about your favorite coffee maker? It is carry-on friendly.

Your desktop computer can come with you as well. It has to go through the screening machines.

Bring your artificial skeleton bones only after you let TSA know they aren’t real.

Your bowling ball or bocce balls can be packed into your carry-on bag.

If you went to the beach and have to bring some sand home, it can be in your carry-on bag. Just don’t let it spill.

Same goes for rocks, as long as they aren’t from a National Park.

Do you need to bring your cymbals with you? Depending on the size of musical instruments, they may need their own seat. Cymbals should be okay to put in the overhead bin.

Don’t forget your selfie stick. It is allowed.

Thoughts?

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I’m Ready to Go…I Think

First Time Abroad

If one of your resolutions for the new year include traveling abroad…that’s fantastic.

If this is the first time…that’s also fantastic. I’m sure you have read all the tips about what to pack, what to take in your carryon bag, when to book, and more.

In case you need a few more tips to remember…check out these useful suggestions.

Remember the outlets in Europe are different than here in the US. Check to see what country uses what types of plugs. Get the right one and take it with you if you want to use your own hairdryer, phone charger, etc.

Speaking of hairdryers, check the website of the hotel or vacation rental where you will be staying. Most times, there is one included in the room or apartment. You could save a bunch of room in your suitcase if you didn’t have to pack a bulky hairdryer.

Let your bank and credit card companies know you will be traveling. Also let them know the dates and places. No sense having a card declined because you are no longer in the US.

Take some cash with you. ATMs will often charge a hefty fee to take out cash. Also, know which banks and which machines are best to use for your bank.

Remember to dress accordingly in the country where you will be. Avoid wearing shirts with sayings that could be taken the wrong way, or clothes that look like they were made for working out. In the US we tend to wear our sneakers, sweatshirts, and yoga pants everywhere. That is not the case in many European countries.

Noise cancelling headphones are your friend on a long flight. Just remember to remove them when the flight attendant is talking to you.

Learn a few local phrases. Especially learn please and thank you. Even if the shop owner or hotel person speaks English, it’s still appreciated if you use their language.

Check your phone plan before you go. You may be able to use your phone, or it may cost too much. Check out something like an Orange card before you go. Remember to use WiFi at the hotel or apartment to save on usage.

Try the local foods. Eat at the same time the locals do. Why? Both will give you a much better experience in that country. You didn’t come all the way to Italy to eat a fast food burger, did you? I hope not.

Understand about tipping. This varies from country to country. It may be as simple as looking at your bill.

Be aware of your surroundings. Space may be limited in a restaurant or on a bus. Don’t take up more space than you need. The same goes for how loud you talk. Many countries speak quieter than you may be used to. Pay attention and try to follow their lead.

For more tips, check back regularly to read the latest from TSA, the State Department, and fellow travelers. Sign up for my website at https://.www.travelsandescapes.net to follow me wherever I go. Have fun traveling.