I highly recommend the Real Alcazar in Seville. Really old royal palace and gardens, I could have spent hours in there. Go to La Alameda de Hércules for dinner or drinks. Big open square with lots of stuff going on. We ate at Casa Paco, tapas place, on the recommendation of some locals and really liked it.
Things to do before trip to Europe
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I highly recommend the Real Alcazar in Seville. Really old royal palace and gardens, I could have spent hours in there. Go to La Alameda de Hércules for dinner or drinks. Big open square with lots of stuff going on. We ate at Casa Paco, tapas place, on the recommendation of some locals and really liked it.
I just waited til I was there and got cash from an ATM. Used my credit card for nearly everything, though. With Capital One I had no international charges or exchange fees.
Florence .... LaGiostra or Gobbi 13 for dinner. Bistecca ala Fiorentina is very expensive and quite frankly, US steak is better.
We had a great guide in Seville about 5 years ago. His name is Roger (he is Welsh but has lived in Spain for almost 30 years and is married to a local) and he has a one man tour company. He does really neat private foodie tours. For example, we did a walking tapas tour with him one night. We went to 7-8 different bars with him and had great little small plates food plus wine or beer. On another day, he took us to the Alhambra and then to some local farms and wineries. Anyway here is his website if you are interested. Prices are reasonable.
http://www.aqot.com/
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I would leave everything you wouldn't possibly need on an overseas trip, home in the states. My dad was pickpocketed in Paris about 2 weeks ago and had to go thru the hassle of canceling/replacing everything he normally carries. I don't know why you would need more than your ID, one or 2 payment cards and passport. And protect your passport like it's a child. Luckily that wasn't stolen from him.
So, what's the best method to avoid being pick pocketed?
Have heard to walk with travel wallet in front pocket, keep your hand in pocket while in crowded areas.
I did use a decoy wallet before in my back pocket. Basically wrote "F U" in three different languages on some slips of paper. It was taken in Rome.
Have heard to walk with travel wallet in front pocket, keep your hand in pocket while in crowded areas.
I did use a decoy wallet before in my back pocket. Basically wrote "F U" in three different languages on some slips of paper. It was taken in Rome.
Was in Catania, Italy down in Sicily about a month ago. Some of the most beautiful women in the world.
Remember to ask for ice in your drinks and if you don't specify when you order water, you'll get the sparkling kind.
1. Don't go to Venice.
2. Front pocket for sure. Wear super tight jeans everywhere, no matter the temp. Tougher to get their grubby hands in there. Probably should wear a full parka as well.
This T-shirt will all but guarantee nobody pick-pockets you. Keep it on at all times.
/profit
One common way that pick pockets choose their victims is by looking at the quality of the watch that you wear. So wear something inexpensive like a Timex Iron Man or Weekender and they might not think that you are worthy of the risk.
Next wrap a rubber band around your wallet and carry it in a front pocket. The rubber band will cause a "stickiness" to your pocket so you will know if someone is trying to take it.
Get a front pocket wallet with RFID protection. Otherwise they can scan chip info from you. You might want to read up on this form of theft.
Finally, your wife's purse is a more likely target since it can hold more goodies and she is less likely to fight back successfully. Have her carry her credit cards in a concealable neck wallet or bra wallet. Do not fall for someone trying to hand you anything or wanting to read your palm (as the gypsies do in Italy and Southern Spain).
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As Ganner said above, make sure your credit cards don't charge a fee for purchases overseas. Wells Fargo charges 3% - Cap One doesn't charge anything. Make sure your card companies know you're traveling so they don't decline your card. We took copies of any prescription for medication we were carrying. Have heard you probably won't ever need to prove it's your prescription medication but doesn't hurt to have a copy of the Rx just in case.
We had a limited international phone plan through AT&T. Think it allowed 50 messages total and cost $10 for the month we were overseas. iMessage works great with other iPhones and, as long as we found public wifi, didn't cost us anything to text or send pix back home to kids, friends, relatives.
We had a limited international phone plan through AT&T. Think it allowed 50 messages total and cost $10 for the month we were overseas. iMessage works great with other iPhones and, as long as we found public wifi, didn't cost us anything to text or send pix back home to kids, friends, relatives.
Be prepared to be overcharged for practically everything in the popular tourist areas. Watch the add-ons on meals. The 10-15% "service charge" is very common. At a sidewalk cafe in Venice, my bill had a 5 euro "cover charge". I ask the waiter did I miss a band playing or was someone playing the violin. His reply was, "Aye jist werk here."
Amex don't charge fee & don't care where the h you are - no need to call. OTOH, probably only accepted at hotels & decent restaurants.
Honestly, I've found traveling abroad isn't any different than being in the US. When you go out in the US, do you have a list of the nearest police stations, only carry 1 credit card, bring a backup wallet, hide your ID in your shoe, dress undercover, bring a backup phone, etc? No. It's not like you're going to Russia or East Africa.
Just take normal precautions and don't be an idiot. That's really all there is to it.
Just take normal precautions and don't be an idiot. That's really all there is to it.
What if I AM going to Russia? Headed to Moscow and St. Petersburg next summer, hopefully.
Don't use credit cards or debit cards there otherwise you're asking for your bank account to be hacked. I didn't feel uncomfortable or unsafe at any point when I was in St. Pete last year, quite a unique delightful city imo. Unless you are going be with a tour guide the whole time (visa not required), make sure you get a Tourist Visa.
And it probably wouldn't hurt to keep tabs on State Department Security and Intel Reports just a precaution.
Meh, when I'm in big cities or on vacation I take an extra form of ID, leave all unnecessary money, passports and cards in the room safe. I do pack the passport card, I know it's only good for a few select US territories but better than nothing if I lose my passport while I'm over there. I always keep my money in my front pocket anyway. Don't be an idiot, if you're in a crowded place keep your hand on your wallet. If you get bumped do a quick inventory. I do this in NYC, NOLA, Chicago just the same.
Vandalay said it. It's not that different certainly nothing to get all worked up over or look up consulates :joy:, buy traveler checks:joy:, try to dress like them [roll]. Bob is the last person in the states that would ever pass for European. No chance, you'd have better luck passing for black than European.
Use your phone for emergencies don't worry about a plan. Hit the ATM when you get there or if you really want grab a hundo while in the International terminal. Really the only big thing is your passport and chargers which they sell everywhere so even if you want to wait to buy them you can. I mean you're starting in Madrid. You can fly naked and get everything you need when you arrive.
Vandalay said it. It's not that different certainly nothing to get all worked up over or look up consulates :joy:, buy traveler checks:joy:, try to dress like them [roll]. Bob is the last person in the states that would ever pass for European. No chance, you'd have better luck passing for black than European.
Use your phone for emergencies don't worry about a plan. Hit the ATM when you get there or if you really want grab a hundo while in the International terminal. Really the only big thing is your passport and chargers which they sell everywhere so even if you want to wait to buy them you can. I mean you're starting in Madrid. You can fly naked and get everything you need when you arrive.
For the record, I did not buy travelers checks. I said travel vouchers, which we are supposed to have a copy of that shows our train tickets are paid.
And yes, I could very easily pass as a German. I speak the language and lived there for 3 months.
Schweinhund.
And yes, I could very easily pass as a German. I speak the language and lived there for 3 months.
Schweinhund.
The safest thing to do would be to not do anything touristy at all. Perhaps just stay in your hotel the entire time and order room service.
Your phone should work internationally. Its just a matter of whether you want a plan to help reduce the costs if you do need it. I use Verizon who doesn't offer an international plan. I just turn off my data but still leave on texting and just try to avoid it but leave it for emergencies and work. Your ATM card should work in Europe and you're going to get the best exchange rates that way. However, you may want to take $50/100 in cash and visit the ForEx at the airport (you'll get robbed) or exchange at the hotel.
Lastly, best move I've found if you're flying coach or economy comfort is to buy a camping pillow from a sporting good store. They come rolled up in a pouch but are bigger than the airplane pillows when unrolled. I attach mine to my backpack and carry it that way. Once on the plane, I use it to either prop my arm on or as an additional back pillow. Makes the flight a little more bearable.
Lastly, best move I've found if you're flying coach or economy comfort is to buy a camping pillow from a sporting good store. They come rolled up in a pouch but are bigger than the airplane pillows when unrolled. I attach mine to my backpack and carry it that way. Once on the plane, I use it to either prop my arm on or as an additional back pillow. Makes the flight a little more bearable.
You can't pass for Spanish or Italian and once you open that big meat eater you'd be obvious.
Yes, I know that. I am not going to Germany.
I also know that you said I could never pass for a European. Germans are European. I could pass for a German.
You are the dummy.
