traveling seniors

Avoiding Lines at European Attractions

If you have ever been to Europe during the height of the tourist season, you have probably stood in line for some of the most popular attractions.  This is an unfortunate way to waste a lot of touring time.  The following suggestions can eliminate this problem.

1. Reserve an entry time or purchase a ticket online or at a ticket agency.  Most museums offer tickets for sale in advance--go the day before and purchase the ticket and avoid the lines.  You can use an agency like FNAC which has locations all over Europe.  I used them for a concert and a ticket to see the 400th anniversary of Rembrandt in Amsterdam.  I walked past hundreds of people waiting in the cold and went straight to the exhibit.

2.  Spring for a pass.  Most cities offer passes to the major attractions at their tourist offices.  These passes will be valid from 2-6 days.

3.  Hire a guide.  It'll cost you, but you will avoid the lines and receive additional information during your visits to the attractions.  You should contact the tourist office for guide recommendations.

4.  Join a tour.  Most European cities have tours that show you all the major attractions.  These are very good for families with children who don't want to wait in long lines.  The tourist office has a list of all the tour groups.

5.  Visit in the off-season.  During the off-season, the crowds are less, but the opening hours are sometimes limited.  You must check with the tourist office for the hours of operation.  Also, make sure you know the days of operation--during off-season most attractions aren't open daily.

If you have ever been to Europe during the height of the tourist season, you have probably stood in line for some of the most popular attractions.  This is an unfortunate way to waste a lot of touring time.  The following suggestions can eliminate this problem.

1. Reserve an entry time or purchase a ticket online or at a ticket agency.  Most museums offer tickets for sale in advance--go the day before and purchase the ticket and avoid the lines.  You can use an agency like FNAC which has locations all over Europe.  I used them for a concert and a ticket to see the 400th anniversary of Rembrandt in Amsterdam.  I walked past hundreds of people waiting in the cold and went straight to the exhibit.

2.  Spring for a pass.  Most cities offer passes to the major attractions at their tourist offices.  These passes will be valid from 2-6 days.

3.  Hire a guide.  It'll cost you, but you will avoid the lines and receive additional information during your visits to the attractions.  You should contact the tourist office for guide recommendations.

4.  Join a tour.  Most European cities have tours that show you all the major attractions.  These are very good for families with children who don't want to wait in long lines.  The tourist office has a list of all the tour groups.

5.  Visit in the off-season.  During the off-season, the crowds are less, but the opening hours are sometimes limited.  You must check with the tourist office for the hours of operation.  Also, make sure you know the days of operation--during off-season most attractions aren't open daily.

Beware!!! European Discount Airlines May Not Be So Cheap.

Everyone wants to fly as cheaply as possible to their destination.  The internet is full of cheap flights everyday.  Often the cheapest airlines to fly in Europe are European discount airlines. They published flights for 10 to 80 euros which are based on the destination and time.  Before you book a flight, you must read every charge they have in order to know the total price of the flight.  Since the flights are cheap, they make their money by charging extra fees at every opportunity.  These fees include: excess-baggage fees, airport taxes and fees, charges for credit card payments, priority boarding, airport check-in versus online check-in, meals, checked luggage, charges for changing schedule, fees for carrying infants onboard, charges for making reservations on the telephone instead of online, and charges for travel insurance.

My experience with European discount airlines has not been great.  The luggage requirements are enforced to the ounce and the fees are expensive.  Once on Ryanair, my excess luggage fee was more than the ticket.  Some of the airplanes are old and not very clean.  Although the staff speaks English, they are usually not very helpful.  The  carry-on bag size must be the stated size or it becomes your second checked bag with a fee.  I had to reschedule  my flight in Spain and the fee was 60 euros--the same price as the ticket.

These discount airlines have made travel in Europe easier, faster and cheaper, but you must purchase the ticket with care and read all the requirements for travel.  Once you are at the checkin, it's too late to make changes to your luggage weight. The fees can add up quickly. 

If you have had any experiences with European discount airlines, please post a comment that will help other readers.

Largest French Film Festival In America

The 17th annual French Film Festival will be held on March 27-29, 2009 in Richmond, Virginia.  It's sponsered by the Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Richmond.  Screenings of all feature films and a series of independent French short films will be held at the historic Byrd Theatre.  Student, faculty and regular VIP passes include guaranteed seating at all screenings and Q&A sessions with the actors and directors.  There is an official reception on Saturday evening with the actors and directors.  Tickets are:  Regular VIP Pass, $95; Faculty VIP Pass, $85; and Student Pass, $45.  The ticket for the reception is $25.  I attended the festival last year and found the films very interesting and Q&A sessions were very detailed.  It's not required to know French because the films have subtitles and the Q&A sessions are in English.  Several thousand people attend this festival every year.  If you are out of town, there are many hotels in Richmond.  You must have a car, because the taxi service is very poor and the public transportation system is limited.  For more information and ticket purchase, go to www.frenchfilm.vcu.edu.

Galileo, the Medici and the Age of Astronomy Exhibit--April 4-September 7, 2009

For the first time, one of Galileo's telescopes will leave Italy for this exhibit at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA.  This exhibit commenorates the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first astronomical observations and explores the Medicis' role as science partrons.  The picture is a cylindrical sundial--a combination of Renaissance art and science.  The price is $15.  For more information, go to www2.fi.edu.

Cezanne and Beyond--Only in Philadelphia

Have you ever visited Provence?  If so, you know the beauty of this region in France--the fields of lavender and the unique villages.  If you haven't discover Provence, you can in Philadelphia through the paintings of Cezanne--its most famous painter.  Cezanne and Beyond art collection is making its only stop in America at the Philadelphia Museum of Art from Feburary 26-May 17, 2009.  You can browse 150 works by the renownd master and his successors.  I have been to  Provence many times and have enjoyed the region every time.  It is one the most beautiful regions in France--with Aix-en-Provence its major city.  The last time I was in Aix-en-Provence was on a Saturday--market day.  The food  flowers and friendly people were unbelievable.  This region and city are a must see when you are in France.  It is a 4-hour ride on TGV-train- from Paris.

Affordable America--Cheap Sleeps

The days are gone when cheap motels were scattered along the many highways of America. Today's affordable hotels are upgrading rooms and adding amenities while keepsing the rates affordable. I have always thought that if I am staying for a night or two, I should stay in a cheaper hotel or motel than pay a higher price for a bed. Usually, I am at a location to see the sights and not stay in the hotel room. The following affordable hotels or motels are upgrading their locations.

Microtel Inns and Suites. The number open is 301 and the average rate is $56.60 (taxes are not included). For information call: 800-771-7171 or microtelinn.com.

Red Roof Inn. The number open is 354 and the average rate is $60 (taxes not included). For more information call: 800-733-7663 or redroof.com.

Motel 6. The number open is 953 and the average rate is $45 (taxes not included). For information call: 800-466-8356 or motel6.com.

Days Inn. The number open is 1,878 and the average rate is $63 (taxes not included). For information call: 800-329-7466 or daysinn.com.

Super 8. The number open is 2,098 and the average rate is 58.81 (taxes not included). For information call: 800-800-8000 or super8.com.

Econo Lodge. The number open is 868 and the average rate is $55.65 (taxes not included). For information call: 877-424-6423 or econolodge.com.

Americas Best Value Inn. The number open is 809 and the average rate is $69. For information call: 888-315-2378 or Americasbestvalueinn.com.

The days are gone when cheap motels were scattered along the many highways of America. Today's affordable hotels are upgrading rooms and adding amenities while keepsing the rates affordable. I have always thought that if I am staying for a night or two, I should stay in a cheaper hotel or motel than pay a higher price for a bed. Usually, I am at a location to see the sights and not stay in the hotel room. The following affordable hotels or motels are upgrading their locations.

Microtel Inns and Suites. The number open is 301 and the average rate is $56.60 (taxes are not included). For information call: 800-771-7171 or microtelinn.com.

Red Roof Inn. The number open is 354 and the average rate is $60 (taxes not included). For more information call: 800-733-7663 or redroof.com.

Motel 6. The number open is 953 and the average rate is $45 (taxes not included). For information call: 800-466-8356 or motel6.com.

Days Inn. The number open is 1,878 and the average rate is $63 (taxes not included). For information call: 800-329-7466 or daysinn.com.

Super 8. The number open is 2,098 and the average rate is 58.81 (taxes not included). For information call: 800-800-8000 or super8.com.

Econo Lodge. The number open is 868 and the average rate is $55.65 (taxes not included). For information call: 877-424-6423 or econolodge.com.

Americas Best Value Inn. The number open is 809 and the average rate is $69. For information call: 888-315-2378 or Americasbestvalueinn.com.

High-Speed Trains In Italy

Trenitalia, Italy's national railroad, has introduced a new high-speed rail service.  It runs between Naples and Milan and reduces the travel time from Rome to Milan to 3 and a half hours.  The train takes 65 minutes to go from Milan to Bologna, 2 hours 10 minutes between  Milan and Florence and 4 hours 50 minutes between Naples and Milan.  The perks on this train are free newspapers, beverages and snacks.  For reservations and more information, go to www.italiarail.com.

Passport Cards--Must Have By June!!

Beginning in June, travelers will be required to present documents proving citizenship and identity when entering the US through a land or sea border.  If you drive to Canada or Mexico or take a cruise, but do not plan to fly abroad, the passport card is cheaper and  smaller than the normal passport.  It  is not valid for air travel.  They are good for 10 years and cost $45.  Children under 16 cost $35.  If you have a passport, you can purchase the card for $20.  For more details, go to  www.travel.state.gov.  Processing time for applications are about 3 weeks.

Beginning in June, travelers will be required to present documents proving citizenship and identity when entering the US through a land or sea border.  If you drive to Canada or Mexico or take a cruise, but do not plan to fly abroad, the passport card is cheaper and  smaller than the normal passport.  It  is not valid for air travel.  They are good for 10 years and cost $45.  Children under 16 cost $35.  If you have a passport, you can purchase the card for $20.  For more details, go to  www.travel.state.gov.  Processing time for applications are about 3 weeks.

Dirtiest Hotels in the USA

TripAdvisor.com lists the following hotels as the dirtiest hotels in the USA: 1. Hotel Carter, NY,NY; 2. Continental Bayside Hotel, Miami Beach, FL; 3. New York Inn, NY,NY; 4. Eden Roc Motel, Wildwood, NJ; 5. Days Inn Cleveland Airport, Brook Park, OH; 6. Days Inn Airport/Stadium Tampa, Tamp, FL; 7. Travelodge Bangor, Bangor, Maine; 8. Velda Rose Resort Hotel. Hot Springs, Ark; 9. Ramada Plaza Hotel JFK Interneational Airport, Jamaica, NY; 10. Days Inn & Suites Gatlinburg, Gatlinburg, TN.

Senior Money-Saving Travel Tips

With the economy in trouble, travel55plus.com, offers these money-saving tips for seniors.

1.  Whenever possible, fly redeye (late night).

2.  Use airport vans, shuttles, or buses  instead of taxis.  This works well when you are alone, but if there are 2 or more the taxis is just as cheap.  I use airport shuttles often when I'm in Europe.

3.  If you're in a big city, go to a two-fer booth before you buy your theater tickets.

4.  Renting a car is more expensive and more trouble than public transportation.  Using public transportation is the best way to get around your destination, unless you are in small towns or villages.  Remember, you can't rent cars in Europe if you are 70 or older.

5.  Hotel rates are always changing.  Often the best approach is to call the hotel directly.

6.  Never use your "honor bar" in your hotel room--this is very expensive.

7.  Always ask for a box for your leftovers in a restaurant  You can keep them in your room fridge.  Exception:  Do not ask for a box in Europe.  This is considered very cheap and they will not do it.

8.  Roaming cell phone charges are very expensive outside of the USA.  Check with your provider before you leave the country.  It may be cheaper to lease a phone while you are in the country.  When I was in Europe several years ago for a month, I had a $500 cell phone bill when I returned.  Today, I have a phone  I take with me to Europe.  T-Mobile is the only company I know that will let you unlock your phone so you can insert a different sim for use in a different country.