Travel tips

1. Leave early for the airport. To start the best vacation of your life, we suggest you arrive two hours early for domestic departures and three hours early for international departures.

2. Carry a paper ticket. Where provided an option, use a paper ticket over an electronic or “paperless” one. A paper ticket will expedite your security check. And, if your flight is delayed, diverted, or canceled, it’s easier to get it endorsed by another airline.

3. Bring identification. Airport personnel are carefully scrutinizing photo IDs. So carry more than one. Government-issued IDs are the best.

4. Pack smart. Airport personnel are reportedly confiscating many belongings of passengers, to include razors, scissors, pocketknives, aerosol cans, nail clippers, knitting needles, and lighter fluid. Keep in mind that gift-wrapped or unopened packages may be opened. Check with us if you have questions regarding what is allowed.

5. Pack fewer items. You and your traveling party will pass through airport security faster if you have less to check. Since camera gear and electronic equipment (e.g., laptop computers, radios, and cell phones) are being closely scrutinized, bring only what you really need.

6. Don't delay at the airport. Curbside check-in may not be available and idling vehicles may be towed without notice, so discourage family members and friends from seeing you off or greeting you upon return.

7. Be polite. Harsh words or joking about security could lead to an arrest.

8. Carry contact information. If your flight is delayed or canceled, it could be quicker to rebook by phone than to wait on a long line in the airport terminal. At least carry contact information for Bethesda Travel Center and your airline.

9. Know your rights. Airlines have specific responsibilities to assist you when your flight is delayed, canceled, or diverted, although less assistance is required when the cause of the event is outside the airline’s control. The airline's contract of carriage spells out the fine points and is available at airline ticket offices and airport counters and on some airlines' web sites.

10. Mind your surroundings. Be mindful of your surroundings at all times, and report any suspicious behavior or packages to law enforcement.

11. Be patient. With the new security procedures, lines at the ticket counters, security checkpoints, and boarding gates will be longer. Be civil to airline employees and your fellow passengers.
 

Money Matters. Plan on spending about $100-130 per person, per day. About half in travelers checks or cash or ATM, and the rest chargeable to AMEX, Visa, or MasterCard. For convenience, bring along a supply of US$1, $5, and $10.

Exchange Rates. The Euro (€) is now standard in most European countries. Exchange rates fluctuate but as of winter 2002, $1.00 will buy you about €1.07, which means ~$0.93 for €1. So, to estimate the US dollar equivalent prices, discount the Euro amount by 5%-10%. It’s so much simpler now!

Security. Please keep your items secure and usually the best place is the hotel safe or security pouch for passport, airline tickets, and traveler’s checks. The ATM system works well too with your PIN (and make sure you have money in the account!). Normal interactions will be trustworthy and scrupulously honest, however (especially in Rome) it is good advice to keep your valuables close to your heart, and keep a special eye out for pickpockets and Gypsies (children especially).

Airport check-in. Airline check-in nowadays requires stringent security measures. Please keep this in mind during your trip:

• Pack light,
• Check in early (even 2½ hours before departure),
• Cooperate fully, and
• Relax and enjoy your trip!

Cell phone. In the absence of a cell phone, why not purchase a TELECOM prepaid phone card (scheda telefonica) from a “bar” or cafe or from a newsstand. Please remember to break off the little corner to activate the card!

Tipping. Tipping is customary as follows:

• Bellhops (about €2 per bag),
• Drivers (about €10-12 for ordinary service with luggage and €20-30-plus per day for extensive service),
• Taxi drivers (€2-5),
• Hotel concierges and chambermaids as you see fit, and
• Your expert local guides (€25-40 for a full day private service).

Dining. Dining is one of the great pleasures of traveling in Italy! In the restaurants, it’s generally best to order the seasonal specialties. You will find them to be fresh and prepared with “amore.” The usual sequence of a meal begins with an antipasto (starter), then a primo piatto (first course), followed by a secondo (main course) and then insalata and dolce or frutta or formaggio. Also, please be alerted that your waiters will never bring you the bill unprompted! As a rule, Italians don’t tip at mealtime since the gratuities are normally included in the meals. However as foreigners it is customary to “round it off,” adding about 6-8% of the tab onto the tip. So, for instance, if the meal comes to €142, then it would be appropriate to leave €150. Some small cafes and sandwich shops offer the choice of waited table seating or stand up service. Understandably, it is considered very bad form to order from the stand up counter and then occupy a table to enjoy your sandwiches!

Electricity. European electrical current is 220 volts and 50 cycles, and the outlets have two round “snake-bite” receptacles. That is different from the US, and some appliances such as curling irons or battery chargers require adapters or transformers. Ask at Radio Shack! Also, about 90% of your hotels have hair dryers in the room.

Import tax. IVA (VAT) is included in the cost of any purchases you might take. For significant purchases that are exported, there is a tax-free status, filed at the departure airport from Europe. For details, try www.globalrefund.com or 1-800-566-9828. Don’t forget to allow extra time in your departing airport! Return customs has a $400 per person exemption. After the first $400, your inspector may charge duties.

Driving. When you drive on the autostrada, keep the left (passing) lane open for fast cars. It’s OK to pass, but please use your turn signal, and pass with intention! Also, for safety, avoid cruising the left lane, since passing on the right is a huge no-no! By the way “STOP” means “coast through the intersection.” Also there is no “right turn on red”!