Chicago Vacation Packages -

Chicago Vacation Packages - Mexico in Illinois at Respond Vacations A business referral community with over 2.5 million members My Account | Advertise directory.respond.com | matching.respond.com | referrals.respond.com Chicago Vacation Packages - Mexico Secure Form Get Matched to Top Local Travel Agents in Chicago Complete these questions and get a customized, timely response from prescreened and member referred Travel Agents serving Chicago that are interested in working with you. You choose the Travel Agent that best meets your needs. No Cost. 1) Which region or city in Mexico would you like to visit? [required] -- Select One -- No Preference Acapulco Baja California Basaseachic Falls Cabo San Lucas Cancun Chihuahua Copper Canyon Cozumel Guadalajara Ixtapa Mazatlan Mexico City Oaxaca Palenque Puerto Vallarta Santa Rosala Tijuana Yucatan Coast Yucatan Peninsula Other (See Details Field) Unsure 2) What city and state or airport will you be departing from? [required] 3) What is the city and region or airport of your destination? [required] 4) What type of transportation do you require? [required] None Airline Car Rental Other: 5) What type of accomodations would you like? [required] -- Select One -- Deluxe First Class Moderate Budget Hostel Campground Other (See Details Field) 6) Would you like a guided tour? [required] Yes No 7) Have you traveled to this area before? [required] Yes No 8) Which city and state or airport will you be returning to, if different from your departure point? 9) Date of departure: [required] -- Select One -- January February March April May June July August September October November December -- Select One -- 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 -- Select One -- 2005 2006 2007 10) For how many nights? [required] -- Select One -- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Other (See Details Field) 11) When do you intend to reserve your travel plans? [required] -- Select One -- This Week Within Two Weeks Within One Month 12) Would you like to purchase travel insurance? [required] Yes No 13) Approximate budget per person: [required] -- Select One -- $500 - $750 $750 - $1000 $1000 - $1500 $1500 - $2500 $2500 and above 14) Age of traveler(s) at time of travel: [required] -- Select One -- Up to 12 Months 13 - 23 Months 2 Years 3 Years 4 Years 5 Years 6 Years 7 Years 8 Years 9 Years 10 Years 11 Years 12 Years 13 Years 14 Years 15 Years 16 Years 17 Years Adult (18-20) Adult (21-24) Adult (25-30) Adult (31-35) Adult (36-40) Adult (41-45) Adult (46-50) Adult (51-55) Senior (56-60) Senior (61-65) Senior (66 & Older) Other (See Details Field) 15) Details: [required] I want responses from Travel Agents that serve or ship to: [required] 16) ZIP/Postal Code: -- OR -- City/State/Province -- Select One -- Alabama Alaska Alberta American Somoa Arizona Arkansas British Columbia California Caroline Islands Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Manitoba Mariana Islands Marshall Islands Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Brunswick New Foundland New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota NorthWest Territories Nova Scotia Ohio Oklahoma Ontario Oregon Pennsylvania Prince Edward Island Puerto Rico Palau Quebec Rhode Island Saskatchewan South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Yukon Territory Your Contact Information 17) I would like to receive responses at this email address: [required] 18) First Name: [required] Last Name: [required] 19) Phone Number: [required] ( ) Cell Phone: ( ) Best Time: [required] -- Select One -- Morning Afternoon Evening Weekend No Preference By submitting your request you acknowledge your acceptance of Respond Vacations's Terms of Use . NEED ASSISTANCE FILLING OUT THIS FORM? Speak with our Customer Service department by calling 1-866-638-5323 (703-259-4457) (Monday - Friday 9am - 6pm EST) ........................................................................................................................................................... Consumer Channels: B2B | Handyman | Cosmetic Surgery | Events | Health | Home Services | Insurance | Investments | Landscaping Lasik Eye Surgery | Legal | Lending | Moving | Photography | Remodeling | Real Estate | Vacations | Weddings Business Channels: Business Insurance | Business Services | Commercial Construction | Facilities | Human Resources | Internet Marketing | Office Furniture | Office Products | Printing | Technology | Telecom Respond Vacations 2005 | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Help | Contact | Advertise | Affiliate Program | Link To Us travel , vacation packages , mexico , respond , respond travel

Orlando Vacation memorable. You

orlandoinfo.com -The Official Site to plan your Orlando vacation presented by the Orlando/Orange County Convention&Visitors Bureau, Inc. Home International Meeting Planner Press Room Members Research Travel Professionals Partly Cloudy 69°F Hot Links Home Magicard Hotel Reservations Discount Attraction Tickets Contact Us Calendar of Events Start Date: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 End Date: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 advanced search » Orlando Podcasts There is Always Magic with an Orlando Family Vacation From insider information with your Orlando Family Vacation to the latest happenings, the Orlando CVB has provided a series of entertaining and informative podcasts for your enjoyment making your next Orlando Vacation memorable. You can either listen to our Orlando Family Vacation or Orlando Vacation podcast live or download for later listening. We encourage you to provide feedback and tell us what you think as well as make suggestions for future Orlando family vacation podcast topics. Simply drop us a line at podcast@orlandocvb.com Recent Orlando Family Vacation Podcasts RSS « Subscribe to our Orlando Family Vacation RSS Feed » Podcast Details Mon, 7 Nov 2005 Download File File Size: 6.01 MB (((Listen Now))) Planning the Ideal Orlando Vacation for the Family Nationally syndicated columnist and travel expert Eileen Ogintz gives travelers great advice on how to plan the ideal Orlando vacation for the family, while involving the children in the process, and what to take with you for a seamless Orlando vacation. View Orlando Family Vacation Transcript » Podcast Details Mon, 7 Nov 2005 Download File File Size: 6.00 MB (((Listen Now))) Get the most out of your Orlando Family Vacation From navigating Orlando's world-renown theme parks to exploring hidden treasures beyond the parks, nationally syndicated columnist and travel expert Eileen Ogintz provides valuable information on how to get the most out of an Orlando family vacation. View Orlando Family Vacation Transcript » For your next Orlando family vacation be sure to visit our Orlando vacation accommodations page where you can make a reservation and learn more about why more and more families choose an Orlando vacation to bond with their family. RSS « Subscribe to our Orlando Family Vacation RSS Feed » Company Privacy Policy Terms of Service Site Map © 2005 Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.

Travel Insurance Car Insurance

AA Ireland : AA Travel Last Updated: 28/12/2005 22:42:04 SEARCH SITE: QUICKFIND: 0) document.location = this.options[this.selectedIndex].value;" Choose a Section... Membership Members Area Travel Insurance Car Insurance Home Insurance Special Offers Int. Driving Permit Petrol Prices Top Tips 0) document.location = document.qf.QFind.options[document.qf.QFind.selectedIndex].value" Your Options Home AA Membership Members Area Company Membership AA Car Insurance AA Home Insurance AA Travel AA Signs AA Special Offers AA Hotels & Accommodation AA Technical Route Planning AA Information Desk More Information About Us Jobs @ AA Ireland News Releases Petrol Prices New Car Guide Car Reviews AA Motoring Magazine Site Options Contact Us Sitemap Mailing List Privacy Policy AA Roadwatch SMS/EMail Alerts -- Add to Favorites AA Travel home travel insurance AA Travel From the moment you begin planning your motoring holiday to your return home, the AA can provide the following services to members: AA Travel Insurance Buy Online Fast and Convenient Learn about Frequent Travel Insurance worldwide cover for 12 months Learn about One Trip Travel Insurance Comprehensive personal cover Learn about Five Star Travel Insurance Assistance & insurance International Driving Permit Camping Card International Ferry Booking Services Route Planning European Regulations Five Star Travel Insurance More motorists choose AA Five Star Travel Insurance rather than any other breakdown assistance organisation when they motor abroad. This offers breakdown assistance and personal insurance throughout the UK and Europe. Children under 15 are insured FREE when all adults take out 5 Star Travel Insurance. AA One Trip Travel Insurance If you are not taking your car with you and are travelling anywhere in the world by land, air or sea, AA One Trip Travel Insurance offers comprehensive personal cover for you & your family anywhere in the world. 20% AA Customer discount. Children under 15 get a 50% discount & under 2 are free. AA Frequent Travel Insurance Whether going on holiday or taking a business trip abroad the AA provides you with multitrip, worldwide cover for 12 months. 20% AA Customer discount. AA Ferry Booking Service Special discounts are available to AA Members and Car/Home Insurance customers with Irish Ferries and Stena line. Simply call AA Travel and make your booking today . Please quote your membership number. *Available to AA Car and Home Insurance Customers too! Travel Advice & Information A great deal of AA information and advice is available for those wishing to plan journeys in advance. The AA is the leading authority in this field, and produces a wide variety of information for the motorist. Camping Card International Available to those with 5 Star cover, CCI cards offer discounts at amusement parks, museums and campsites. International Driving Permits An International Driving Permit allows you to drive a private motor vehicle in many countries without further formality. Motoring In Europe When motoring in Europe , there are numerous rules and regulations, bye laws and procedures that differ from country to country. Special discounts are available to AA Members and Car/Home Insurance customers with Irish Ferries and Stena line - Applies to bookings made for Irish Ferries and Stena Line motoring fares. For more details call AA Travel: 01 6179988 Legal Information AA Ireland Ltd. trading as AA Insurance is a Multi-Agency Intermediary regulated by the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority. Links Travel Insurance Application Form Your Options: @ AARoadwatch.ie AA Roadwatch Traffic Update Flights Bus Rail Ferries Car Parking Events News & Advice Dublin News Petrol Prices Driving Tips Route Planning Golden Spider Award Winners! AAIreland.ie wins Best E-Commerce Web Site Award 2004. Insurance News Home Insurance For a quick quote contact: 01 6179300 Car Insurance For a quick quote contact: 01 6179950 Travel Insurance Special Rates for AA Members. For details contact: 01 6179988 //-- AA Ireland, 56 Drury Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. Tel: + 353 (0)1 617 9999. Fax: + 353 (0)1 617 9900. Email: aa@aaireland.ie

Family Vacation Ideas Winter

Family Vacation Deals: Cayman Islands  You are here: About > Travel > Travel with Kids Travel Travel with Kids Essentials Family Vacation Ideas Winter and Spring Break All-Inclusive Resorts Ten Latest Family Travel Deals Family Resorts: top places; photos Articles & Resources Family Travel: What's Hot Top Vacation Spots VT, ME, NH, CT, MA, NY, PA Mexico Family Vacations Caribbean Vacations More Beach Vacations Florida Family Vacations Resorts with Water Park More Family Resorts Fun Places for Kids Disney Vacations Family Cruises Babies;Teens;Single Parents Lots More Destinations Family Travel TIPS, GAMES Buyer's Guide TAKE ALONG: Christmas books Christmas flicks Activity Kits more CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Travel with Kids newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Travel with Kids Family Vacation Deals: Cayman Islands Travel with Kids Blog « Disney World: Star Wars | Main | Memorial Day Weekend 2005 » From Teresa Plowright , Your Guide to Travel with Kids . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! March 28, 2005 Family Vacation Deals: Cayman Islands The Cayman Islands are in the Western Caribbean, 480 miles south of Miami. Grand Cayman is a sophisticated financial center; Little Cayman is quieter; and Cayman Brac has a friendly population of just 1500. Read about deals for families in 2005, including Cayman Brac's "Family Week". Cayman Islands: "Hot Deals" photos and info courtesy of Cayman Islands Department of Tourism Hot Deals from The Hyatt The Hyatt Regency Beach Suites on Grand Cayman is offering free nights, with Sunshine on Sale. From March 1st August 31st 2005, and October 1st December 18th 2005, travelers can enjoy their 5th Night Free when booking a one bedroom Ocean View Suite. And during September 1st 30th, guests can receive their 4th Night Free. Cayman Brac Family Week - July 10th 17th Special activities, special packages -- read about the 3rd Annual Cayman Brac Family Week . Kids Sea Camp: July 23rd 30th, & July 30th August 6th 2005 Watersports are a highlight of a Cayman Islands visit, and families who like snorkeling or diving may want to time their visit with the Cayman Islands Kids Sea Camp 2005. Sponsored by Dive Tech and Cobalt Coast Resort & Suites, the Kids Sea Camp has two sessions in Grand Cayman: July 23rd 30th and again, July 30th - August 6th, 2005. The camp is geared toward kids ages 4-14, and includes PADI Diving Society membership, a treasure hunt featuring scuba gear prizes, trips to Stingray City, Nautilus sub ride, turtle farm tour, pizza and movie nights, beach BBQ party, and more. Packages include: 7 night accommodations, daytime activities for kids, dinner and lunch BBQs, hotel taxes and transfers. Contact: (800) 934-3483 or visit www.kidseacamp.com Email to a Friend Display Latest Headlines | | | Read Archives powered by Movable Type Advertisement Most Popular Charades -How To Play Charades Family Vacation Spots The Atlantis Resort Great Places to See Santa Disney Christmas Magic Kingdom What's Hot Grand Floridian Chinese New Year - 2006 Poconos Great Wolf Lodge photo Dog Friendly Hotels, inns, lodges -- find dog-friendly vacat... Kwanzaa Related Topics Florida for Visitors New England for Visitors Theme Parks Hotels / Resorts / Inns Parenting of K-6 Children        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Grand Floridian Chinese New Year - 2006 Poconos Great Wolf Lodge photo Dog Friendly Hotels, inns, lodges -- find dog-friendly vacat... Kwanzaa Headlines Bunch of family travel deals Latest deals added include a January Travel Special at the... First Nights! "First Night" events celebrate New Year's with family-friendly festivities-- and... Top Family Travel Trends in 2005 It's that time of year... to pause the mad dash... Bookmark the NORAD Tracks Santa site! It's not a family trip, but it's certainly a trip...

Europe Travel 101 -

Europe Travel 101 - Before You Travel to Europe for the First Time  You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors Travel Go Europe Essentials European Vacation Planning Map Europe Travel 101 - Before you Go European Distances The Best of Europe European Photo Gallery Articles & Resources Europe Travel Planning What to do In Europe Lodging - Hotels and More European Travel Maps Sex and Nudism Travel Photography Transportation Benelux Countries France Germany Austria Switzerland Greece Italy and Malta Travel Info Scandinavian Travel Spain and Portugal United Kingdom and Ireland Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Italy Travel Guidebooks Europe Travel Guidebooks German Travel Guidebooks Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Europe for Visitors Europe Travel 101 - Before you take that first trip to Europe Here's a suggested timeline for things an independent traveler needs to do before heading off to that European destination. Thinking about taking an independent trip to Europe? Below you'll find topics to consider before you take off. The recommended time before departure that you should be taking action is found in the colored bar on the left. In the gray box on the right you'll find links leading to more detailed information on any of the topics. Like most planning guides, this is a tool meant to simply remind you what you need to do when to make the standard vacation go as smoothly as possible. Although the list may seem daunting to you, you'll find that many of the tasks are optional. Unless otherwise noted, most of the planning tasks can be done earlier than recommended. A shorter, unannotated list with resources can be found here . A printable checklist can be found here . Jump to: 6 Months 3-4 Months 6 Weeks - 2 Months 1 Month Last Minute What You Need to Do Resources 6 months before you go - Choose Your Destination! Now (or even sooner) is the time to choose your general destination. There are lots of resources on the right to help you. Remember that while Europe is quite compact compared to the US, the travel times between countries may be longer than you think. Once you've chosen your primary destination, you'll be able to go on to the next things on the list. Language Let's say you've chosen France as your destination and you'd really like to get to know the country and its people. Well, now is the time to start thinking of learning a bit of the language. A single beginner's course in spoken French at your local community college will teach you the basics cheaply enough. We also have extensive resources for learning European languages here on the About network. Please, at least think about learning the "politeness" words--natives will thank you for trying and will likely be more receptive to your questions. See Languages for the Tourist on the right to find out how easy it is. Renting a House or Apartment Now is the time to think about reserving that perfect apartment for the week (or month). You can wait until later to do this, but the best go fast. Living in the country you're visiting gets you into the swing of daily life: you'll be able to go to the open air markets and cook the food you buy, you won't have to think about maids (unless you want to) or checking in, and things can be as secure as you make them. Guidebooks Once you've figured out where you'd like to spend most of your time, it may be time to pick out a guidebook. You can purchase guidebooks that cover all of Western Europe, just a single country, or even a province or region like Tuscany. Choosing a Destination: Travel Planning Europe Planning Map Clickable Europe map with links to Country maps and Travel Essentials. How I Travel Europe Europe and Fading Traditions: Go Soon! Weather -Climate - When to Go Language: Languages for the Tourist Rentals Unusual Lodging Lodging Links Guidebooks Top European Guidebooks 3-4 months before you go - Start Checking Airfares You can start checking sooner--although we've found searching 3-4 months before your flight is a pretty good bet; the airlines are starting to discount in order to reward early bookers and yet there's still time to wait if prices aren't to your liking. The airline computers are constantly revising the pricing based on the latest demand, so the cheapest prices might turn up anytime--but you might not want to wait that long. Use the Finding Bargain Airfares link if you're unfamiliar with the bargain hunting process. Apply for a Passport if you don't already have one If you don't have a passport, this is the time to start thinking of applying. While the literature says it takes 6 weeks to procure a US passport, you don't want to leave it to the last possible moment--it's a vacation killer if something goes wrong. And despite what you may have heard or read in the past, a separate passport is required for each and every family member traveling with you. First-time applicants 13 years of age and over must appear in person at a U.S. passport office, a designated courthouse or the Post Office. You'll need a birth certificate or proof of citizenship, a photo identification, two recent 2" x 2" photos of your face, and a bundle of money. You'll find the latest requirements and downloadable application form by clicking Passport Links there on the right. (You don't need a health certificate in Western Europe and you won't need to worry about a visa as long as you're staying fewer than 90 days and aren't going to Turkey.) Shoes and Walking Now is a good time to pick up some walking shoes and start getting them broken in. You'll walk a lot in Europe, even if you have a car; much of the city centers in Europe are pedestrian only zones. Be prepared. Airfares Finding Bargain Airfares Passports Passport Links Where to go to apply, a downloadable application form, and how to make it as easy as possible. 6 weeks to 2 months before you go - Reserve Lodging - Hotel If you haven't already reserved the hotels you've seen on the web and fallen in love with, now is the time to do so. But do you need to reserve in every city you're planning to visit? Here's what I do: I reserve a hotel for my arrival and departure days as well as any long-term apartment rentals I've selected. The rest I leave to chance. You may feel uncomfortable with this arrangement, but, with a few exceptions, it's worked just fine for me. When traveling by train, I prefer to arrive at my destination early, take a hotel by the train station and just drop my bags there and explore the city on foot. You can read the whole strategy in my Footloose Travel article. Car or Train? If you haven't already chosen, now would be a good time to select your primary mode of transportation. Select Train or Car? from the links on the right if you just can't seem to decide which is best for what you want to see. Rail Pass Do you need one? Here are some tips: Trains in the south-Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Greece--are pretty cheap. If you're going to one or several of these places you might find that a pass isn't necessary. Just go to the station and buy a ticket. EurRail passes offer great savings if you plan right. For a saver pass you'll need to plan to take several long trips so that you can spend the travel days mostly on the train. Save money by going overnight; you'll save on hotel costs and make maximum use of your pass. Check the types of passes available carefully, to use them to an advantage, you may have to juggle some travel plans. Car Rental or Leasing and an International Driver's License Leasing a car is sometimes better than renting, especially if you're staying in Europe for more than 17 days. Leasing gets you a brand new car without rental company stickers on it and the pricing includes everything you need. When you turn it in at the end of your trip a lucky European will get to purchase that almost-new car for much less than a completely new one (This comes about because taxes on a new car are much higher than the taxes on even a slightly used one, so both parties benefit from this arrangement). If you've chosen driving as your primary mode of transport in Europe, you should get an International Driver's License . Available at Auto Clubs, they're just a translation of your License into European languages. Sometimes police won't demand them, accepting your original license instead. But still, it doesn't hurt to get one, and they're pretty cheap. A couple of passport-sized pictures are required. Even though you can usually just walk into your auto club and come out with an International Driver's License, I recommend not putting this off: the paperwork needed is often "out of stock." Lodging Accommodation Links You can also find lodging in specific countries or cities by going to a specific destination page. Footloose Travel Striking a balance between travel freedom and overplanning. Hotel Star Ratings Do you know what they mean? How I Travel in Europe Just in case you want to know. Transportation within Europe Rent or Lease? Train or Car? Driving in Europe Links Transportation Links European Train Travel Links 1 Month before you go - Travel Insurance Now is the time to think about insurance. If your health insurance doesn't cover you overseas, or your homeowners insurance doesn't cover loss of material goods, then there are some temporary plans that might set your mind at ease. Check our Insurance Links for more. Luggage How's your luggage? Is it easy to carry? Got more than a foot and a half of duct tape holding it together? If you want to be mobile, maybe you want to see if you can fit everything into a carry-on. It's not all that hard to do in the summer when you probably won't be needing heavy clothes. Rick Steves recommends walking around with all the stuff you think you'll need, then discarding half of it. I like the method I learned in Boy Scouts. Separate everything into three piles: stuff you absolutely need and use often, stuff you'll use occasionally, and stuff you probably won't use at all. Then eliminate the last two piles. Remember: Europe isn't lacking material goods. If you need a heavy sweater because it's unusually cold in August, chances are you won't be more then 50 feet from someone who'll sell you a great one. Don't forget, laundries are pretty easy to find (but usually expensive) and laundromats are are starting to show up in most popular tourist areas. Besides, if you rent a house or apartment it may include a clothes washer and possibly a dryer (but more probably a clothesline). Cameras If you've bought one for this trip, learn how to use it. If you need one, now is the time to purchase--don't put it off until the last minute and then end up standing in front of the Louvre all befuddled because you can't figure the danged thing out. Film If you're going to use film (how so very 90's!) you might consider purchasing one of those lead-lined bags to take it in. These reduce (but don't eliminate) the radiation from airport x-ray machines and thus the chance of film fogging. What I do to bypass this possibility is to buy and process my film in Europe. Sure, guidebooks say film and processing is more expensive overseas (but not much these days), but I look at it this way: are you gonna worry about fogging or are you willing to spend a buck and a half more per roll for peace of mind out of the thousands you're gonna spend on your vacation in total. Seems like false economy to me. Plus I get to show my pictures around to other travelers while I'm in Europe. Cell Phones If you need to be in constant touch with the office or someone special, you can rent cell phones that work throughout Europe. Often your car rental company can handle this, or you can check our Cell Phone Rental links for companies that'll rent phones for the short term. Email It's time to think about how you're going to handle your email in Europe, if that's important to you. If you have several accounts you want to check, you'll need to set up an online system for getting all your email. I use webbox , but other options are explained in the article Staying Connected . Money Yeah, it's time to get the long green together. I take some traveler's checks as a back-up, but mostly use the plentiful ATM machines in Europe to get cash. You need to have a 4-digit pin number to use many European ATMs. Watch one thing though: plan to have enough money to last through weekends--some people are reporting that certain banks in Europe don't update the customer's daily limit on Saturdays and Sundays and so if you've maxed out your daily allowance on Friday, you might find that you can't get more until Monday. You might also think about getting some Euros (or local currency for countries that don't use Euros) for the first day or two, if only to get used to them and assure yourself that you'll be able to afford a coffee in the airport. How much Money? Well, that varies, of course. A couple like Martha and I can get by on on $150 a day in most Mediterranean countries, although it's becoming a stretch these days. That'll get you a two or three star hotel with breakfast and two other meals taken in a restaurant with wine, plus entrance fees to museums and such. It's an average over the whole period of vacation--some days you'll get soaked, some days you'll find bargains. Students and the young-at-heart set willing to stay in hostels and eat street food or make their own grub in the Hostel kitchen will be able to do it for much less, of course. Keeping your money and documents secure You'll need a way to keep your passport and important items away from thieves. While Europe is still safer from violent crimes than the US, high tourist volumes in major cities tend to attract the slash and run crowd. Use a money belt or pouch that goes inside your clothing like seasoned travelers do. Keep your passport and important documents together in it. Don't wear a fanny pack with the pack turned around to actually ride on your fanny. It looks stupid and is a magnet for thieves. Women should avoid big purses with shoulder straps as those straps can be cut easily and the purse removed by a well-trained thief in seconds. Whatever can be said about European petty thieves and pickpockets one thing stands out when you talk to people who've been hit: they're good at what they do. Find recommended security stuff and other indispensable items under Travel Accessories . Voltage and Plugs European voltage is twice that of the wimpy American 110. The wall plugs are different as well. If you plan on using electrical appliances you may need to purchase adapters and power converters now. Check out my article European Electricity and the Connected Tourist for the skinny on what you'll need to make your stuff work in Europe. Me? I don't carry much more than the battery charger I bought in Italy to recharge my digital camera's batteries. Maps You should be far enough along in your travel planning to think about what maps you'll need.If you're in a car and like to get off the main highways, you'll need to purchase good maps. We use Michelin country and regional maps when we drive, purchasing the regional maps for areas we're staying in for a week or longer. You can get European driving maps from your auto club, but they're often not detailed enough to get you to the back roads. Keeping in Touch If you're the postcard-writing type, you'll need to have a means of keeping all those addresses where you can find them. Before the era of PDAs and email, I made sheets of labels for everyone who'd want a postcard so I could just slap one on and be done with it. Now I email friends and keep all their addresses on my Palm Pilot. Check for Travel Dangers The US government doesn't just meddle in overseas affairs, it also alerts travelers to dangers and uprisings in other countries. You might want to check conditions now and right before you leave. Travel Insurance Insurance Links Luggage Top Carry-On Luggage Packing Tips Cameras Before you buy a digital camera for travel Top Compact Digital Cameras for Travel Top Semi-pro Cameras for Travel Olympus D40 Review Oneof the best compact digitals I've come across. Cell Phone Rentals Cell Phone Rental Companies Purchase a Cell Phone Email Staying Connected Cybercafe Links Staying Connected Links Money/Currency Money Matters ATM Finder Travel Accessories Top Travel Accessories Clip-on Security Wallet (review) Voltage and Plugs European Electricity and the Connected Tourist Maps Michelin Maps (compare prices) It's easier to buy the maps over the web--distribution to many stores seems spotty at best, and many times they're unsorted, making finding what you want a miserable experience. Keeping in Touch The Travel Writer's Toolkit Travel Dangers Department of State Travel Warnings Last minute - Oops, Forgot the Passport. Help! Well, you can get one expedited, especially if you already have tickets. See our Passport Expediting Company links for more. Make Copies Now is the time to think about keeping back-ups of your travel documents. Make at least two photocopies of your itinerary, your passport information page (the one with your picture and passport number) and copies of your credit cards showing the cc numbers. Give one copy to your mother, or someone else you trust and can get a hold of any time of day or night. Keep a copy of your passport and credit card info with you but in a different place than the original items. Final Check The basic stuff you need to carry are these: Passport, tickets, car rental agreements, hotel reservation receipts, credit cards, medications (and prescriptions, if required), addresses/password information and an open mind with a sense of wonder. Check them twice. Then go have fun in Europe. Passport Problems Passport Expediting Companies Travel Dangers Department of State Travel Warnings Jump to: 6 Months 3-4 Months 6 Weeks - 2 Months 1 Month Last Minute From James Martin , Your Guide to Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Advertisement Most Popular Europe Map - Distances Between Cities in Western Europe Europe's Best Nudist Beaches Europe Picture Galleries Italy Pictures Europe Travel 101 - Before You Travel to Europe for the Firs... What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Related Topics France for Visitors Greece for Visitors United Kingdom / Ireland for Visitors Eastern Europe for Visitors Italy for Visitors        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Headlines Antwerp Pictures Antwerp is a fashion and diamond center for Belgium and... Like to Travel Well? Follow the CIA! I really should have paid attention when the CIA came... Tapas from Cans? Ok, so you wander into one of Barcelona's most celebrated... North Holland: Noah's Ark Redux A pious north Holland businessman took out a 300 000...