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What are my (unreserved) accommodation options when doing a road trip in the US with (small) children? I see a lot of interesting fly-drive offers to different regions in the US. They all look very tempting. I would love to do such a road trip. The question is always, where are you going to stay with a rental doing su...
There are great many options along the various highways and byways in the US for lodging, though if you are looking for B&Bs you would have to check ahead because they are usually small and may be booked. Howard Johnson Ramada and a few others.
Visiting CERN in Switzerland Is it possible to visit the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) as a tourist to Geneva? Are there any guided tours? Which parts can be seen? <Q> Yes - CERN has an outreach program which does tours along with other activities. <S> From their Visit CERN page: CERN welcomes...
For individual visitors or small groups, we offer guided tours to the ATLAS visitor centre and the permanent exhibition “Universe of Particles”.
Kamakura, Japan: Feasibility of day trip from Tokyo? I will be in Tokyo for a conference and was hoping to check out Kamakura for a visit. Is it practical to travel to Kamakura for a day trip, or should I look into overnight accommodations? <Q> I'll try to answer on the assumption that you're asking mostly about the r...
You can see a number of popular tourist destinations on a day trip to Kamakura from Tokyo.
Why do travel sites always show per-person accommodation price on the basis of two sharing the same room? Most travel websites, especially those presenting deals and allowing comparison of different packages, show the price per traveler. Same case for advertisements on Internet and billboards in cities. When I want to...
The truth is that in many cases, hotels simply charge per room. Generally, people going on holiday often have someone with them - a significant other, so often it's based on 2 people sharing.
How can I get around Paris both cheaply and efficiently? I will be visiting Paris in a couple of days. I was wondering what is the cheapest way to visit all the major tourist attractions in Paris? Do they have 3-day passes for all the public transportation (bus-metro-train) or is it cheaper if I buy tickets when I us...
If you decide to take the public transport, prefer the bus to the metro whenever feasible. The cheapest, but especially most efficient way of transport to get around Paris is the Velib .
Are there any websites or resources for planning bicycle routes across western Europe? A friend and I are potentially interested in doing a bicycle tour across parts of western Europe, which parts specifically we're not sure of yet. We would be starting in London and from there we would likely go to France. We aren't ...
Within England, the answer is The Cycle Streets site which will generate much more accurate and helpful cycling routes than Google, and could certainly be used to get you from London to the coast. While google is a good for general planning, it is not made for cycling and while the cycling information is updated and im...
Will I be understood in all Portuguese-speaking countries, if I learn Portuguese in Portugal? I really like the Portuguese language, but if I want to be understood in all Portuguese speaking countries (e.g. Brazil, Cape Verde, Angola, Mozambique), would it be enough to speak " Portuguese " Portuguese? If not, would lea...
You will be understood here if you are trained in 'classic' Portuguese.
Re-enter USA from Canada with Visa Waiver Program My wife and I are doing a North America trip this summer. We fly to NYC, stay a couple of days, then fly to Vancouver, spend two weeks in British Columbia and then back home (Germany). We thought about travelling to Seattle a few days with our rental car, when we are ...
There won't be any issue, just maybe a bit of a hassle.
What is the cheapest / fastest way to get from Brussels to Paris? There are several ways of getting from Brussels to Paris. The fastest is probably the train, but it gets more expensive when you buy the ticket on the last minute. My question can be really split into two: Is there an alternative way, maybe through a d...
You can see that the cheapest way to go from Brussels to Paris is by bus : - you can combine Ouibus and Flixbus for 10€ and you will need 5 hours- or paying 12€99 for a direct travel with Flixbus in 3 hours The fastest route is the Thalys train that takes 1:22 hours and is a non stop train. Apart from Eurolines you can...
How can I find the cheapest private hotel room (as opposed to a bed in a dorm) using online tools? I tried the standard tools like Kayak or Momondo , but there the cheapest option is always a bed in a dormitory. In particular I was searching for Amsterdam and the first few pages of results (sorted by price ascending...
Almost every hotel and hostel booking site allows you to filter/sort to identify private rooms.
Overtaking regulations when driving in Europe I've got a question about how to drive the car in Europe on Highways. In the US, I can overtake another car on either side, and I am fine. In Europe I was told that I have to drive on the right side (Germany), and to overtake on the left side of the other driver. Now I ha...
On a multiple lane road with exits on the left, you may overtake a driver on the right, if he signalling to turn left.
People in the next room in my hotel are having noisy sex; I can't sleep! What to do? The people in the next room are having sex all night! it is early morning and I can not sleep and my flight is in a few hours! Their bed is hitting the wall because of the action which makes a great noise in my room like someone is con...
You can even ask the front desk if you can keep your unpacked stuff in the old room overnight and use the new room just for sleeping until you can bring your luggage over the next day.
How do I get the 'Paris Visite' ticket? Where can I buy the Paris Visite ticket? (I live in Brazil). Also, how do I calculate whether it is going to be cheaper than just buying single tickets? <Q> My opinion is that a Paris Visite pass is hardly worth the money. <S> If that's true in your case is difficult to answ...
In Paris : Paris Visite pass can be purchased in all Paris Metro, RER, Transilien SNCF stations, bus terminal ticket counters, RATP Boutiques, RATP sales desks at Orly and CDG airports and Paris tourist offices.
Camping stove on a plane? Can I bring a camping stove (without fuel) on a (domestic or international) jet, either in checked baggage, carry-on, or some other means? <Q> You can bring it in a checked luggage, just make sure there is no fuel or fuel residue . <S> I do not recommend trying carrying it in a carry-on bagga...
If it has fuel smell it will be rejected even if it is in checked luggage.
Photo ski-passes in Arabba Italy Are ski-passes in Arabba issued for a particular person (i.e. do they have a photo associated with them)? Does it apply to all durations? Also are there any free lifts near the town (to teach the small children without having a ski-pass)? This is often the case in French resorts. <Q> I...
There is no photo associated with ski-passes up to 7 days.
How do I minimize total cost of separate flights to the same destination plus optionally accommodation? My girlfriend and I are currently living in different countries, and meet occasionally for a few days every month or so. We don't really care all that much where we are going, as long as we don't need a visa (we're b...
I suspect one could also do an X to Y search on other services and look for which cities appear as layovers in the least expensive routes. So I've built a tool to search for flights to a common destination: http://destination.smoogly.ru/
2 Months in Europe: Budget of $6000 I'm going to Europe in April for two months with my girlfriend. We don't have an exact plan, just sort of knowing where we basically want to go. Trying not to decide much and go with our wills during the trip. This is the main plan: Prague Berlin and maybe other places in German...
My best advice is to price out the necessities - transport, lodging, and visas.
To how much radiation are you exposed on a transcontinental flight? You often hear people object to being scanned because of the " radiation " argument. I find this always quite amusing from people just being exposed to higher radiation levels during the average airplane flight. I once read a article on the levels of b...
As a physicist who worked for many years on the backscatter imagers, I can assure you the dose to the skin is very low. On a flight from Los Angeles to New York, you'll receive a radiation dose of 40 microsieverts.
How well are allergies understood in Bhutan? I have oral allergy syndrome and I'm going to be traveling to Bhutan in fall. I've encountered a very wide range of attitudes towards allergies in different countries, from totally getting it to 'Tomatoes are a fruit?' 'Are you sure you don't just dislike [allergen]? Try s...
Despite the country, sometimes allergies are not taken seriously by healthy people, they just can not imagine that the food they all like is something that could cause harm to other people!
How to visit the Pantanal (Brazil) without a multi-day tour? I've been reading about the Pantanal (Brazil) and the information I have is that the two main cities in this area are Campo Grande and Cuiaba. The problem is that the blogs I've read state that the Pantanal must be visited with a tour or an independent guide ...
There are daily flights from other Brazilian cities such as CampoGrande and Cuiabá to the gateway city of Corumbá, from where tours canbe organised.
Typical food in Norway? I'm going to Norway (Bergen) soon and I want to taste something typical from that nation or from Bergen's region. I was thinking that one of the most typical food was fish, but I'm not sure about it. Which is a typical Norwegian food? <Q> Arguably, the national dish of Norway can be considered...
Traditional Norwegian dishes are usually based on fish and game.
Is Legoland Windsor worth visiting, among all the London-area tourist attractions? We are traveling to London with our kids. As one of the attractions, Legoland Windsor is mentioned. I am wondering if this is more a small/local attraction, or is it a valid attraction to consider when visiting London as a tourist. How d...
Legoland is in my book something I would consider suggesting to friend looking for kids attraction around London. I don't think it is a comparison to be made with Disneyland Paris, as I would consider Legoland Windsor to be a one day affair only.
How can I get a different seat after boarding a flight? There is always this thrill of boarding a plane. "Where am I sitting" or more importantly who is sitting in close proximity to me. If it turns out to be a disappointment, reseating is often not an option. What are valid reasons to be reseated after boarding a p...
If it is about sitting next to your friend/spouse, you can simply go and find someone single to switch with you or your friend. If your seat is broken, they will not put someone else there, same if it is next to a baby etc.
London to Dublin: bus, train, plane, or car rental? London to Dublin: bus, train, plane, or car rental? I would like to travel from London to Dublin (with family). But the web-sites for the ferries seem to be vague about the cost for automobiles. (And they seem to be focused on the last-minute travelers). The date is...
Rome2Rio gives you the alternatives. To check the fare that is of interest you need to go to the ferry company website, e.g. Stena Line , enter the dates, press continue booking, enter the number of passengers and the size of the car, and then you will have all possible ferry times with the combined fare---which you ca...
What first aid material and medicines are absolutely essential when traveling? When you arrive into a new place / city country / etc. it can be difficult to find some essential goods. Everything is new. First aid material and medicines are sometimes forgotten when planning a trip but it's a specially critical aspect if...
What you need to bring is the familiar and comfortable treatments (that you already know how to use) for the kind of petty stuff that might keep you from enjoying your trip. The only things I consistently pack are painkillers and plasters, and even painkillers are left out when flying to certain countries as different ...
Car damage caused by potholes in the EU, what to do? I'm driving often with my own car abroad (EU) and even on highways there are potholes. What can I do if my car gets damaged? Is there an EU-regulation or is it different in every country? What should I do to prove what really happened? Are photos enough? <Q> [Discla...
In Poland you can get a compensation up to 3 years after the damage.
How to buy duty free other than at the airport? Everybody knows you can buy things duty free at airports if you are leaving for or coming from another country. (You can also buy on airplanes and I think I've seen on some international ferries and some land border crossings.) But rent for retail space in airports is s...
The nearest thing I know of to what you're asking about is the ability for visitors to some countries to another country to either buy an item and avoid tax provided the item is shipped directly abroad; or to pay full price, but apply for a refund of the taxed amount after returning home.
Is there a resource with the average load factor on a specific flight? I almost always seem to be traveling on full flights. So almost never have the luxury to be able to change seats or even rows. Is there any way to find out beforehand if a specific flight is on average not fully booked? I am looking for an average...
Some airlines, like United, offer an " Expert Mode " interface where you can see available booking classes.
How can I find the arrival gate for a flight? Finding the departure gate of any flight in real time is not a big deal, however arrival gates are more tricky. I checked at least four airport websites, and none of them provides such details. Is there a general way to obtain such information? I don't need real-time inform...
For when you do need real-time data on arrivals gates, Google provides it inline with search results when you search for a particular flight.
Can go to Germany on all-year tires in winter? I know that German law requires tires apt for snow in winter time. It's quite obvious that I cannot use summer tires, but can I go on universal all-year tires? What are the exact requirements? <Q> I know that German law requires tires apt for snow in winter time Very c...
In most cases, tires described as all-season, multi-season or "universal all-year" are appropriate for everything but wintry conditions and so technically speaking they are not "all-season" unless of course you live or drive in a climate where "wintry conditions" do not occur.
Is it allowed to carry "a knife" or "a pepper spray" while traveling by road in the Schengen area as a woman? Can a solo female traveler carry a knife or pepper spray to be able defend of herself when she is on the road or when hitchhiking, or it is illegal? <Q> Wikipedia has a page dedicated to Knife legislation . <S...
This totally depends on the country, each country has different rules. If you need to use a knife for any thing else then to protect your self, then it is allowed to carry a knife.
What does it take to make my car fully compliant with all EU countries? In Belgium every car is required to carry at least one fire extinguisher. In Germany you need to have an environment sticker to drive into a city. In France you might need alcohol testers . Coming from mainland Europe to the UK you are required ...
Some of requirements not typically mentioned: winter tires — under some conditions required in Austria, Sweden, Finland and Germany. some countries (France, Poland, Czech Rep., Croatia) require you to have replacement bulbs for any of the lights that is legally required.
What do I need if I want to travel from USA to Mexico with a rental car? During the summer, I plan to rent a car in Calfornia, USA and do some roadtripping in the south-western part of the USA. I would also like a day trip to Mexico. Can I just drive through the border or isn't this possible at all? Do I need any speci...
If you are certain that you are taking the car into Mexico and the days it will be in Mexico the car rental company will likely provide you insurance from a Mexican carrier.
How to get from DMK Airport to Sathorn Road, Tungmahamek Sathorn, Bangkok? I will be traveling from Vietnam to Thailand arriving at Don Mueang International Airport. How can I get from DMK to Sathorn Road and how much would it cost if I take a taxi? <Q> Taxi. <S> Get in the official taxi stand queue just outside the...
Personally, though, if I was travelling lightly and looking to save a few bucks, I'd hop on any bus running south underneath the elevated road next to the airport and tell the ticket seller "Chatuchak" as my destination, the fare will be ~20 baht depending on the bus type.
Tipping for pre-paid shuttle service in the US? On an upcoming trip to the USA, I've booked a ~$300 shuttle to take us from the airport to a city two hours away. I've prepaid it, if that has any bearing. A few days later I'm using the same shuttle service for a second leg, roughly the same price and distance. Booked b...
It all depends on the company. In the US it is customary to tip taxi drivers, however some shuttle companies have no tip policies. When I started driving I expected 10 to 20% or more.
Taxi ride from Lima airport to Miraflores How much would it cost for a taxi ride from Lima Airport to the Miraflores district? The plane lands after midnight, so, if applicable, there might be a night fare. <Q> and it's safe. <S> You could take the taxi outside and the cost would be 40 soles or maybe less <S> but i can...
I just called the 3 taxi companies that work with the airport and the cost is around 60 soles (23 dollar), which i think is a fair price because it's a service of the airport
What visas do I need for traveling to South East Asia if I'm a Canadian Citizen? I am a Canadian Citizen and will be travelling to Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos. I will be in Thailand for 2 weeks, then Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos for 3 weeks, Then back to Thailand for a week. I know as a Canadian Citizen I can...
You get a 30 day visa when you arrive by plane in Thailand and if you get out and back in by land you get another 15 day visa.
Where in the world knowing Russian and English will not be enough? I speak Russian and English. Will those 2 languages be sufficient to travel anywhere in the world as a tourist? Or there are some regions where it wouldn't be enough? By sufficient, I mean, I would be able to buy tickets, book a room in hotel, order ta...
You would need to know at least basic Spanish. Small cities or rural areas of most countries around the world that they do not speak English or Russian and only know their own mother tongue.
Where can I visit former Nazi camps and prisons in Europe? Some months ago I visited the NS Documentation Center of the City of Cologne . The museum was very interesting for me because the building wasn't destroyed during World War II and I could see the former Gestapo prison with inscriptions and drawings done by pri...
In Oświęcim, PL, you can visit Auschwitz concentration camp
Is it risky to wear a name tag in public in an unfamiliar city? A couple of years ago, I came across Smart Traveller claiming that wearing your name tag can increase the risk of crime and assault in the form of someone who pretends to already know you taking advantage of your trust: A young Australian woman was atten...
When I'm visiting some city to attend some event or conference, I try to expose the name tag only while I'm in the event's place. Well I think it depends on the city you're visiting. In a "bad" environment, any sign that you're a foreigner might give potential pick-pockets or other "bad guys" a hint that you might be a...
Can you enter the departures area without a boarding pass at London Heathrow airport? My girlfriend is leaving the UK from Heathrow tomorrow. Is it possible for me to go through security with her so that we can be together until she goes to her departure gate? <Q> Generally NO. <S> There are some legitimate exception...
In the queue to the security boarding passes are being checked and only passengers with a valid boarding pass are allowed through. As far as I know, it is not possible in the United Kingdom.
Is there a centralised website for bus travel in Brazil? In Argentina, for example, plataforma10 was generally the go-to website for travellers for bus companies - while it didn't do every company, it had most of the big ones, and to all destinations in Argentina (and some neighbouring cities). I'm wondering if ther...
The one and only country-wide official source is the website of the Agencia Nacional de Transportes Terrestres (ANTT) , the Brazilian’s government official body for road transportation.
Sites to see between Regensburg and Frankfurt I'll be traveling in Germany in June. Toward the end of the trip, we'll be going to Regensburg and then we have three days before we have to be in Frankfurt to fly home. I'm looking for suggestions for places to visit, places that we can get to via public transport, during ...
Regensburg is in easy day trip range of Nuremberg (Nürnberg), Augsburg and Munich (München), and on the way to Frankfurt, you'll pass Würzburg.
Ship items back home while traveling? I am starting a trip around the world today! and my bag looks pretty full already. I am wondering were I will put new clothes/items if I decide to buy some while I am traveling. Has anyone ever sent things back home (to the USA) in order to make room for new stuff? Which services ...
The few times I've done this, I used regular mail, but the cost is not always worth it. UPS asked us $150. Luggage free (www.luggagefree.com) is one of the cheaper options I found.
Determining if flight prices are likely to increase soon I'm planning to fly from Australia to Japan for a conference that straddles May and June, but unfortunately they haven't released tickets for the conference yet. I'm 95% sure I'd be able to buy a conference ticket when it gets released, but not totally sure. Than...
For short haul flights, one factor that can increase prices is sporting events.
Is it possible to travel on cargo airplanes? Some time ago I heard someone telling about travelling in cargo planes. Apparently some of those planes have a limited amount of extra seats and companies would sell them for an extra profit. Does anyone have any information about this? Is that still possible? <Q> There are...
Some cargo companies allow select staff to fly on their flights for any purpose, whilst others only allow those travelling for business purposes. The short answer is: depends. Carrying passengers would also require the flight to have flight attendants in order to meet requirements for safety, and for an aircraft that m...
Can I bring whey protein powder on US domestic flight as carry on? I have searched for a definitive answer to this question on google but found conflicting opinions. My question and situation is as follows: I am traveling from Ithaca, NY to Detroit, MI and back later this month. I am a big fan of weightlifting and am ...
As long as you're willing to lose a bit of time and a sample if they notice and ask, it should get through fine.
What are the safest bus companies in Bolivia and Chile? I need to travel from La Paz, to Salar De Uyuni and then to Chile, and from Chile come back to Peru. For "safe", I mean reliable companies in terms of delays/broken engines but also with good reputation about thefts. <Q> None is completely reliable in that part o...
Buses from Peru and Chile are usually better than Bolivian ones, and around La Paz there are quite alright.
Where to exchange Euros(EUR) to Pounds(GBP) near Frankfurt or in Edinburgh I'm planning a trip to Scotland and I want to know where would be the best place to exchange British Pounds (GBP). I think that the exchange rates at the airports are not good, so my options are the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main Metropolitan Region an...
Depending on your bank it might be the cheapest to use an ATM in the UK.
Are DSLR cameras permitted in the Empire State Building? I'm currently planning a trip to New York and have been looking at the website for the empire state building and noticed the following The items listed are not permitted in the Empire State Building. [...] Professional cameras, equipment from http://www....
Security checked the camera equipment without difficulty.
What's the best way to travel around Greece? Train or Bus? Looks like a train pass for a 25 year old is only $150 for 5 travel days, but I hear the trains don't run everywhere, so would it just be cheaper to take the buses everywhere? And what is the best way to get to and from Greece via Istanbul? Bus/train? <Q> Even ...
If you are backpacking and want to see the most beautiful parts of Greece (in my opinion Crete and the Islands and the mountains of central Greece and Peloponnese) then you are likely to need to take other means of transportation such as ferries, large boats and buses. Don't get a railpass for Greece only for the price...
Traveling abroad with an expensive watch If I am wearing an expensive watch, what should I do not to get in trouble at customs? Should I declare it when I enter a country? I will travel from Germany to Russia. <Q> Really, if you are concerned about, leave it at home. <S> Buy a $5 watch if you feel the necessity to have...
The Customs rules for most countries are usually "clear enough" re what needs to be declared and what does not need to be.
Do official health agencies recommend getting the "Japanese Brain Fever" vaccine for travel to Japan? I will be spending four weeks in Japan, visiting all of the "main islands" except for Hokkaido. Some of the activities would be hiking across the woods and mountains as well. The vaccine is for "Japanese Brain Fever" ...
The Australian Dep't of Health goes a bit further, stating that "the risk of travellers in Asia acquiring JE is extremely low" and only recommends vaccination for "travellers spending 1 month or more in rural areas of Asia" (unless there are significant other risk factors). Short-term travellers and those who restrict ...
Is having multiple air travel loyalty programs possible? I have an account at Flying Blue, but I've never used it (I just signed up online). Now I want an account at Asia Miles. Will it affect me in any way if I just leave the FB account dormant and sign up for Asia Miles? Is it even possible to have multiple members...
It can be quite beneficial depending on how often you travel and where you spend money regularly as non-airlines purchases can translate into points too, depending on partnerships.
Should I leave tips in Latvian hotels Should I leave tips in hotels in Latvia?Each day I put 2-3 lats (about 4-6 dollars) on the table, but each evening I'm returning to the room I find money untouched. This is my first country where tips are ignored.May be, I'm doing something wrong? <Q> Leaving money on table is no...
It depends on hotel, but usually you do not have to give tips. I use Merci Envelopes that I have bought online.
Adventure or urban exploration between Belgrade and Budapest I have 3 days to get from Belgrade to Budapest, and I'd really like to do some adventuring in that time. I was originally going to see the abandoned Olympic ruins in Sarajevo, but the travel time from Sarajevo back to Budapest is too long. Does anyone have su...
When in Belgrade, wonder around Kalemegdan, it wonderful place to be.
How can I get a Nepal Telecom SIM card in Thamel, Kathmandu? Does anyone know how I can get a Nepal Telecom SIM card in (or close to) Thamel, as a foreigner? Preferable straight away with not so much hassle because I plan on going trekking ASAP. I want Nepal Telecom because it's my experience that they have better cov...
Some mini marts have sim card and recharge card, usually they advertise it. There is a NCELL center in Thamel where you can get a card for 100rs (it's a little above Pilgrim guesthouse).
How to visit attractions in Tasmania without a car? We will firstly arrive at the airport (HBA) in Tasmania, planning to go to the Sorell Fruit Farm, Marakoopa Cave and the Tasmanian Chairlifts. We can't rent a car because we are still under 25, so how can we get there? What kind of public transportation is available?...
Check out Redspot , which serves both Hobart and Launceston airports and happily rents to drivers 21 and over, plus random small local hire companies (Google or the first hostel you stay in will have listings). To travel cross-country, you can pick from a multitude of bus lines.
Cheap places to store bags in London for a few hours? Almost all of the main railway stations in London have left luggage facilities . However, unlike in some European countries, this is a privately run place that stores your bags, rather than lockers. The costs at all of the main stations are £12.50 for the first 24...
There is a company that does self storage who advertise with luggage storage in London.
How to register while wild camping in the Balkans? Many countries in the Balkans have the regulation that you must register your stay with the authorities after, let's say, 24 hours of crossing the border into that country. Registration is easy when you stay in a hotel or campsite, doable when staying with a friend, bu...
If you are staying in tourist accommodation, they (= people from the accommodation) will make this registration for you.
How to understand the registration rules in Serbia? A country like Serbia obligates you to register your stay within 24h. Now how to understand that if you move constantly and do not stay in a place where they do it for you. Do you have to register every 24h in a place you actually are? Do you have to register only o...
So the way I read it is that any place you stay you or the person/organization providing you with accommodation in Serbia will have to register with local police within 24 hours if your stay at that location is longer then 24 hours. If you do not register you may also have difficulty with the airport police when you tr...
What do many hotels have against stairs? Today, while waiting a rather long time for a lift to take me just one floor, I got wondering. In almost all the hotels I stay in, the only option to get between reception and your room is to take a lift. For a hotel with 10+ floors, I can see that making sense. Well, unless yo...
If the building has an elevator, stairs are a code requirement in all but the most ancient of buildings. Because they are not used.
Inter-country one-way car rental in Europe? I'd like to rent a car in Germany, drive to Hungary, and return the car there. Do any car rental agencies allow such a thing (without an enormous fee)? I'd consider a fee less than 1-2 days additional rental (ie, an extra fee of around €100) to be "not enormous". <Q> Hertz ...
Most european car rental companies will allow that.
Is the Pilanesberg safari park worth to be a primary travel goal? A couple of months ago my husband was in South Africa and some of his colleagues spoke to him about the Pilanesberg safari park (close to Sun City) as probably the best option in national parks because it is supposed to have the Big Five while still reas...
The Pilanesberg is most definately a primary safari destination! It has the big-five animals and also cheetah and wild dogs.
Can I travel to Paris for a day with a single entry visa for Schengen from Switzerland? I am visiting a friend in Switzerland for ten days. I have already got visitor's visa for the same on my Indian passport. Particulars mentioned on my visa are: 1. 'Etats Schengen' , 2. Single entry 3. Dates of visit. & 4. Type of v...
Single entry means you are allowed to cross an external border between a non-Schengen country and a Schengen country once (i.e. it refers to the Schengen area as a whole).
Do I have to expect snow at 3900 meters above sea level during summer? I'm planning to climb a high mountain during end of May, beginning of June, in the Yosemite National Park. The mountain is around 3900 meters above sea level. In Switzerland, I would expect that there will be snow on the top, except maybe during Jul...
At about mid summer in 2003 - the hottest summer ever recorded until then - we saw substantial quantities of snow on north facing slopes in Yosemite at around 3200 metres altitude.
Can I use regular headphones on transatlantic British Airways 747 flights? I will soon be traveling, Economy class, transatlantic on a British Airways 747. I was hoping to use my over-the-ear headphones with their armrest entertainment system rather than the earbuds they provide. Does anyone know if this is possible? ...
However, I always include in my travel electronics kit an airline headphone adapter, which allows you to use your headphones' single 3.5mm stereo jack with the double 3.5mm mono ports found on some equipment, including older BA aircraft.
Former Gulag camps in Russia I have already asked a simular question about Former Nazi camps and prisons in Europe , now I would like to know if there are any Gulag camps that I can see from the inside? <Q> Given how many camps there were <S> you could be sure to find a few: <S> Соло-Тур offers tour in the Nort...
Perm-36 near Perm West of the ural mountains claim to be the only open to the public GULAG (Museum).
Universities open to public in South Korea and Japan? In California and most other states in the USA, at public universities (and sometimes private universities), it is possible for anyone who is not affiliated with the institution to walk into a classroom and learn for free. In small classes, it is polite to show up ...
Some universities ask everyone trying to get into the campus to show ID cards but other universities are open to strangers.
Finding cheap apartments for a month in Japan and South Korea? In these countries, if I decide on a whim that I would like a regular apartment for one month, what's the best method to find something cheap (less than 300 USD) no matter where I am? Craigslist or something similar? Or maybe find a CouchSurfing host fi...
Also you can search on Google for "japan apartments "no key money"".
How can I visit areas with unpaved roads in a rental car? In the southwestern United States, many interesting spots are only reachable via off road trails. Rental car contracts seem always to include a clause that disallows driving on such roads (even when renting an SUV). How can I visit those areas? What do I risk...
Long story short you risk voiding any coverage you have on the vehicle, which will make you responsible for any and all damages that may happen.
5.5 hr layover in San Francisco International Airport enough time to visit city? I'm flying Seattle, USA (SEA) -> San Francisco, USA (SFO) -> Frankfurt, Germany (FRA) -> Edinburgh, Scotland (EDI). In San Francisco Airport I have a 5.5 layover. Is it advisable to leave the airport and come back in time for the flight?...
From my own experience it is often more entertaining to have a trip somewhere downtown, eat something nice or even meet some friend for 2-3 hours and going back than being stuck in an airport for that long.
Train from Calama to La Paz I read somewhere that trains are going between Antofagasta (Chile) and La Paz (Bolivia), which would go through Calama. Is this information up to date and is it a respectable alternative to a bus ride? The buses in Chile from companies like Pullman and Tur-Bus are pretty luxurious, is the ...
Trains exist in Bolivia but are quite rare. Buses are your only choice on the ground, unless you drive yourself.
What are my options for proof of travel itinerary when applying for a Brazilian visa on a US passport? This question is quite similar, but with different specifics. Undoubtedly, some of the options still apply, but specifically, what are my options to satisfy the Brazillian Immigration Authority's requirement for a ...
Therefore, you'll have to provide a copy of your tickets and flight itinerary, or a letter from your travel agent that contains all the details of your flight reservation.
How to drive a car from Australia to Europe? I want to drive to Europe from Australia by shipping it to Asia and to drive from there onwards. Can someone tell me the cheapest way for shipping, which ports I should use for shipping and how much can it roughly would cost? Cars are really expensive in Singapore and Th...
There are commercial agencies which specialise in arranging visas and vehicle permits. If you sold your car in Australia, take a cheap flight to Europe and buy a used car down there and have a job for the month it would take you to drive over, you might come out not much more expensive. If you want to minimise the amou...
Car rental with baby seats: is it better to carry seats or rent seats? It's a bit of a general question, but to narrow things down, what is the cheapest strategy for renting cars if you have two little children: carry baby seats with yourself or rent car with two baby seats, although I didn't manage to find car w...
If I was landing late at night somewhere that I didn't speak the language, or if my children were creatures of habit who didn't sleep well in unfamiliar situations, I'd bring the seats and control my own destiny.
Can I still get from Heathrow to London on a double-decker bus? Some years ago I rode a double-decker bus from Heathrow to Victoria Station and found it to be a great way in to the city, since we could sit up top and see so much. I'd love to do the same thing for an upcoming visit, but I am not sure the service still e...
There is now no way to get a single bus from Heathrow airport all the way to the center of London.
Berlin to Munich in 5 Days My wife and I are going to spend our anniversary in Germany in May. We are flying into Berlin and out of Munich, and we have 5 days to get from one place to the other. What would be a good general route? Important considerations: We love to experience German culture more-or-less as a Germa...
On the way from Berlin to Munich you can also visit Nuremberg , Leipzig or Dresden .
Greece Corfu and Gerald Durrell sites - how can be reached? What is the current situation with Gerald Durrell's Corfu described in his famous book " My Family and Other Animals"? In childhood it was one of my favourite books. I was green with envy of his child life on Corfu and wanted to change places with him. And to...
As far as I know there are no "The Corfu of Gerald Durrell" tours, but nothing to stop you going and seeing the places where he lived and wrote about. During the summer period, there are direct connections (charter flights) i.e. www.tez-tour.com , or www.kanoulastravel.com from Moscow to Corfu.
Can you have extra long transit times to explore a city? Say you're in transit in an airport in a country you're allowed to visit without a visa. Could you plan a trip with a 3 day stopover, and stay in the city for that period with your carry-on? This seems like an easy way to get a "free" visit somewhere. Is it lega...
Some (typically state-run airlines) will allow or even promote such long stopovers as a way to attract tourists to the stopover location. I believe Emirates does this for Dubai.
Walking Tours of Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand & The Surrounding Area? A friend & his wife will be visiting Thailand in the near future. They shall be spending three nights in the Northern Thai city of Chiang Mai. They believe this to be located within "wilderness country" & would like the opportunity to partake in wal...
CM is not wilderness though, it is a town (Thailand's second city after Bangkok), but it is surrounded by mountains and jungle and a short trip (even by bicycle) can put you in either. I would personally ask for a private tour and pay a little more to get a better experience.
Why is shopping popular for tourists visiting Dubai? I will visit Dubai and I wonder why visitors often do a lot of shopping there. Are goods cheaper, tax-free, or something similar? <Q> The region has a very long tradition of international trade, and it's a cornerstone of the economy. <S> Taxes and tariffs are low, so...
So, yes, hordes of shoppers, lower prices on (some) consumer goods.
Start cheek kissing on the left/right side Cheek kissing is a very discussed topic in each site like this, because it is quite different depending on the country (number of kisses (especially), when to cheek kissing, men/women...) and it is a thing a foreigner will do even in a short stay. There is a lot of information...
The Lebanese cheek-kiss is performed by touching the cheeks and kissing the air.
Getting from Halifax, Canada to the US by bus/train? I'm considering going all the way across to Halifax, Nova Scotia, but am having trouble finding information on getting from there down to the USA (Boston in particular). I gather it's 22 hours by train back to Montreal, and then I could bus down, but the train is on...
Halifax – New York by bus via Woodstock, Houlton, shortest route 32 hours and 55 minutes, by bus, taxi, and train. There doesn't appear to be a formal bus service between Halifax and Yarmouth, but there are private shuttle services.
Strategy for cruise tickets: book now or last minute? I'm interesting in a Caribbean cruise in June (it's now late March). Prices seem to be higher for June (e.g., $249 lowest 3-night. Carnival) vs May ($199 lowest Carnival). Does anyone know if the June prices tend to drop as you get closer to June? Is it better to...
I have also booked some cruises a few days before and gotten great deals, depending on how full the ship is.
What causes experts at sites like FlightFox to be so much cheaper than search engines? I was looking at this: https://flightfox.com/contest/57321 And I checked the dates on Momondo, and it cost around $1400. (I only checked one set of dates though) The searcher expressed that they'd pay more for a cheaper flight. S...
In the example above, which is a relatively simple trip, I suspect the experts were able to cover more airlines and routes by using the right tools.
What are the exact restrictions on night time Eiffel Tower photos? I know that there are some restrictions on night time Eiffel Tower photos, but what exactly is allowed and what is not? Does it make a difference if some persons are on the photo and the tower is only in background? Are there also restrictions on day ti...
The view of the lighted Eiffel Tower is only copyrighted when it has non-standard lighting.
British National flying to Vietnam from Bangkok. Can I get the visa on arrival? I will be flying to Vietnam from Bangkok this summer and I'm trying to figure out if I will need to apply for my visa in advance. As I understand it (from various 'Vietnam visa' websites) as I am from the UK I can get a visa on arrival in V...
The problem is that you should apply a vietnam visa through a licensed Vietnam travel company because of Vietnam immigration law Please be advised that visa on arrival is only for air travelers and it will take 10-30 minutes to get stamped visa at the arrival airport.
How much would it cost to take a train from Krakow to Prague, Prague to Munich, Munich to Hamburg, and Hamburg to Warsaw? I was thinking about purchasing the tickets at the local stations. I wanted to spend three weeks in Poland and a week in Prague, Munich, and Hamburg. I set aside $300 for each train itinerary but I'...
Many long distance trains require reservations, which mean you need to go to the station to get them anyway, and often there are limited contingents for pass holders. You may be able to make a Eurail Pass work for you. Munich – Hamburg : 88 USD (www.bahn.de) Current prices start at USD $313 (for your entire trip) for t...
Can you suggest a route to travel from Moscow to Siberia and return in 2 weeks? As an Iranian citizen I can travel to Russia via a 2 weeks tourist visa without permitting to extend my visa. As usual I will choose a return flight ticket from Tehran to Moscow. Supposing it is possible to travel from Moscow to Siberia a...
Krasnoyarsk is a must too(Yenisei is a mighty Siberian river).
What is the cheapest and most direct route from the UK to Malawi? I'm researching a trip to Malawi and I'm struggling to find direct flights. I'd be happy to travel from any UK city to anywhere in Malawi. I've only been able to find flights for around £900 with at least one stop (NBO or JNB) and often two (usually AMS...
After a little searching the cheapest option I found was through Ethiopian Airlines Return flight from LHR to Lilongwe via Addis Ababa comes in at £705.75 (dates searched October 07-22)
How to send baggage from US to Australia? We are planning a trip to Australia. We are going to spend some months there and we would like to take with us more than the current baggage limit. One option would be carrying in the plane just what we strictly need, and sending the rest of the things (between 3 and 4 large su...
It all depends on the weight of your baggage and its size. Luggage Forward quotes about $1300-$1500 for the standard size bags (50lb).
Sufi Dance in Turkey I'm looking for a Sufi dance show in Istanbul. I'd like to watch for a "real and non-hollywood" show. I don't need dinner nor drinks nor any kind of extras. <Q> Tom Broshanan lists several venues in Istanbul . <S> I have never done it. <S> I once wanted to attend a show near Avanos, bit it was u...
I think the best place to see Whirling Dervishes is Konya .
Is it possible for a U.S. citizen to rent a car in Brazil? Is it possible for a U.S. citizen to rent a car in Brazil? If so, what are the requirements, from the leasing companies, as well as the transit authority (to drive in Brazil)? <Q> You need the drivers license from your home country an international drivers lic...
However, to drive in Brazil after 180 days, the foreigner must have the Brazilian license or a International license.
Rooftop restaurant in Santiago, Chile Rooftop restaurants represent places with less dust as well as giving an overview of larger areas. Santiago has fabulous mountains in the vicinity. Rooftop restaurant are not easy to get by - simply because they often are not in plain sight. I am looking for advice for a good roof...
The Tramonto Terrace at the Noi Hotel might also be a good option.
Can I enter Kosovo with EU ID card? Since June 2010 EU citizens can enter Serbia with ID card. I wonder if I can also enter Kosovo with ID card? <Q> Yes you can. <S> Starting from May 8, 2013 every EU citizen can enter to Kosovo with ID card only, as mentioned on the Kosovo Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (at the...
According to the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs , as a Bulgarian citizen you need a valid Bulgarian passport to enter Kosovo.
Are there age restrictions to stay in some hostels? I was recently talking to a friend about plans to visit Europe in the next year or two, and she asked where I would stay. I said I will probably stay in hostels, as I've had good luck with that in Mexico and the U.S. She acted surprised, and said that she thought yo...
There are certain "hostel networks" that have an age limit
How to get to the airport in Venice, Italy early in the morning? I am staying near St Marks Basilica. Need to fly from Marco Polo at 6:30 AM in the morning for an international flight, meaning that I have to be at the airport by 5. How do I get there, that early? <Q> There is a boat " AliLaguna " leaving from St. Marco...
The boat taxis to the airport need booking as well -- and are MUCH more expensive -- they leave you off at a distance from the terminal, and at that hour the shuttle bus is not running -- you have to walk. There are also private taxi boats you could book Phone one of the several taxi companies the night before-- they s...
Is there a land route from China through Mongolia to Tuva? So those of you with an interest in Richard Feynman, throat singing, or bits of the world your friends have never heard of probably know of a place north of Mongolia located in Siberia, Russa called Tuva . Since I'm already toying with the idea of overlanding...
There is/was a crossing into China which leads to a town called Barkol, and then onto Urumqi.
Are state boundaries a problem when using taxis in the USA? I've heard that in the United States, taxi licenses may be local, so that taxis might not be allowed to cross from one state to another. However, I've also seen reports of people taking very long distance taxi rides. Do I need to care about state boundaries ...
A cab driver is only permitted to pick up passengers from a jurisdiction where they are licensed to do so. In the US, a rule of thumb would be to use taxis around town and car services for trips further than 30 miles.