European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - April 15, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Travel on the cheap continued from Page 13 keep in mind that Many tour guid9s will steer their clients to restaurants snack bars and souvenir shops and receive a Kickback in return. That Lee will almost certainly be reflected in the Price you pay Lor any merchandise hotels even if you can Allord $400 a night for double room in a five Star hotel you will probably a baiter off in a Good medium priced medium size hotel. Switzerland publishes a brochure recommending one Star hotels Many of hem family operated at around $32 a person g no Phil for a room with a Shower or Bath lass for a room with Only hot and cold water. Most tourist information offices can provide similar lists of hotels with prices. Many City tourist information offices Book rooms just Tell them the Price Range and facilities you went. Information. Collect All the details you need before starting your trip. National regional and local tourist offices can help with material on transportation hotels sightseeing and special events jeans Are the unisex Ravel attire throughout Europe but be sure to pack something a Little More formal too kids Are being charged half Rale or even less by Man hotels in Europe now ask about special Rales when you Book. Luggage experienced travellers know that less is beat. Porters Are no longer available at most airports and Railroad stations and lower priced hotels have dispensed with bellmen. Money. Change your dollars or traveler s checks Ata Bank it will almost always be More expensive at hotels travel bureaus and stores. Outside banking hours and on weekends official Rales will be paid at currency Exchange Booths at airports and Railroad terminals. With the Dollar fluctuating in value it May be risky to use credit cards the rate charged is the Dollar Rale on the Day the Bill is processed nol the Day the charge was made. Nightclubs limousines gambling casinos an Gondola rides in Venice should All be avoided if you re on a Light budget. The same goes for Black Market currency deals in Eastern Europe where you May get stuck with bogus Money or be courting Legal trouble. Don t carry your Watlet in your Back pocket. Don t buy Antiques irom Roadside touts. Don t travel without a ticket on rapid transit services in european cities if you get caught i won t help to claim you Don t know the rules and you la have to pay a Fine on the spot of at least 10 times the fare. Overlapping should be avoided. In most european countries a 10 to 15 percent lip is already included in restaurant Bills and an additional 5 percent is usual for very Good service. If your cab does t carry a notice that the tip is included give 10 to 15 percent. Phones ii you want to Call Home do it from the local Post office or telecommunications Center. Most hotels put a sizable surcharge on Long distance Calls. Ii May even be cheaper to Call collect. Queasy feelings Are something to a avoided on vacation pack your favorite remedy Lor settling an upset stomach or Experiment with the local product. R ent a car the International car rental companies operate fleets and offices in almost All european countries but in Many places local companies do not ask for a Deposit if you produce a major credit card and an american Driver s License an International License obtainable through the american automobile association is even better. Shopping unless you gel better advice from knowledgeable local people downtown department stores Are Good places for exploring before turning to specially shops. Duty free shops a airports Are nol always cheaper than downtown stores. Trains in Europe Range irom the splendid . To crowded crawlers in the Balkans thai can be recommended to no one but the hardiest traveler. In Western and Central Europe train travel is generally much cheaper than flying. Flying is Tow priced in Eastern Europe. Important centers throughout Europe Are linked by intercity trains Many Long distance night trains have sleepers or cheaper Couchetta compartments. Unexpected expenses invariably crop up so keep some Cash aside for possible emergencies. Vat stands for value added tax which in mos european countries is added to Bills for All goods and services including hotel rooms and meals. It can go up to 30 percent and even More Tor such luxuries As jewelry and is generally included in the marked Price of the goods Many countries refund taxes to tourists who take purchases out of the country practices vary some paperwork is invariably involved and you May have to show your unused purchases to the customs official upon departure. W talking is a great Money Saver. Many european cities spread out around a historic Core holding castles churches palaces end other monuments that can Best be visited on loot. It helps if you Are slaying close to the Center x Las. It is almost always cheaper to buy what you want and take it to your room yourself than to Call room service. Youth is Well served in Many european countries. I you re under 26, Tor instance a eur Alpass Good for a month will Cost you s310 for two months it s 5400. But you Musl travel second class and pay a surcharge for express trains. Youth hostels Are available in every country with prices ranging from $8 to $10 a nigh. In France a special youth card offering discounts on air and rail transportation As Well As admission to sporting and cultural events is available to people �5 years old and under. Restaurant privileges include year round Access to University dining rooms where a meal costs about �2.50. Cards valid from june 1 to May 31, Are available Al youth information services located in town Halls tourist Ollices and credit Muruel Banks. Zero expense. Mot ail the Best things in Lite Ore free but some still arc. There is no extra charge for the View of the Alps 1iom your Tram window and once you Are there it costs nothing to gaze on the Beauty of St. Peter s in Rome the acropolis in Athens the water trolls of nordic cities or the dramatic West coast of Ireland. Many museums and most churches have free entry. By Linda White travel editor etting there May be half the fun it can also be half the Cost of your entire vacation. Before you buy your tickets look into ways to stretch Yoor Ravel dollars. In Europe railways and City transportation networks have Money saving plans. Some bus companies also have Rover passes and once you get where you re going you May be Able to use Coupon books available from the local tourist office for discounts on everything from museum entry to use o a swimming Pool the Cardinal Rule is to ask. Ask the railway what options Are available. Ask a travel agent or National tourist office about Money saving offers. Ask again the you get there you might team obscure facts such As some towns set aside one Day a week when museum entry is free. Listed Here Are some of the passes and savings plan available. Many passes must be purchased outside the country where they will be used so Check before you g eur Alpass normally must be purchased outside Europe but special arrangements have been made for the . Military Community in Germany to buy them there. Add up the costs before you buy. If you Don t plan to do much travelling a single ticket May be cheaper Ihan pass although the pass gives you flexibility. Many of i prices Here Are quoted in German Marks. Prices in Solhei countries will be comparable in the local is Poncy. To4 Pul Fehrm onh remd my bin in Whf not a Dell do my. Thi Hitov a co Trou Onui put Wii int a i Way us put t ii Monir find to own. B own noun thru in pee my of Tom ind mar pm Pron. 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