Travel hacks and advice

[XXX-er]

I know i wouldn't go down there, also I see countries in Yurp are issuing travel advisories on the USA so anybody who is not a US citizen should probably give it a pass

[Kevo]

Makes sense for visa holders (sadly) but seems like US citizens should be excluded from that warning.


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US citizens who speak out against the US government are losing trusted traveler status.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHxI0...M0bm5lNTY0cQ==

If you had trusted traveler status and lose it your chances of being interrogated and searched at the US border or ports of entry are greatly increased.

[bodywhomper]

“We are next,” is the concern that I’m hearing from many friends that are Asian Americans and citizens. One is sixth gen Hawaiian/japanese. Both of their parents, uncles, aunts, and grandparents were interned during wwII.

[XXX-er]

I can remember thinking Mexico was a dangerous shithole country to stay away from but now days USA is the new Mexico

[bodywhomper]

Barring detainment, flight cancellation, social chaos, and/or a plane crash, my family’s headed to northern Italy in a month for about 3 weeks. We will be staying in one place for most of the trip and using a rental car to get around to villages, trailheads, etc. so we will be spending chunks of time driving around.

Car size? Carry on only for baggage. we are five peeps, and two of us are six feet or taller. The tallest does not drive and will be sitting in a backseat. It looks like peugeot five-o-eight wagon or similar would be about right. I’m not familiar with many of the euro cars listed on rental car sites.

[plugboots]

I think you wanna pick the MPV class.

[bodywhomper]

Thx. Will look more closely at that larger size/class.


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[skaredshtles]

Thx. Will look more closely at that larger size/class. Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

It really depends on how much comfort you demand when you are cruising around. For example - our CX-5 would work in a pinch to carry around 5 people with carry-on luggage. Would not be terribly comfortable, but TBH I would not want anything much bigger for driving around in Italian villages...
ETA: Bottom line is that I, personally, would go for the SMALLEST vehicle I thought I could get away with.

[grskier]

<p>
I /gasp/ generally agree with skared....</p>
<p>
But I would just size up one... you&#39;ll want to buy a pair of shoes, bottles of wine, and/or a chachkie&nbsp;</p>

[bodywhomper]

One of our cars is a Toyota matrix, which is similar in passenger space as a Toyota Corolla. We all fit and it would easily be able to fit our baggage. It’s tight in the back (heh!).


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[skaredshtles]

One of our cars is a Toyota matrix, which is similar in passenger space as a Toyota Corolla. We all fit and it would easily be able to fit our baggage. It&rsquo;s tight in the back (heh!). Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

That size should be fine for putzing around the Italian Alps.

[plugboots]

wow. For shits and grins I looked up Malpensa rentals, and great for sedans and wagons. Not so great for anything else.

[alpinevibes]

The Peugeot will be pretty ideal, if not a bit big for backroads around Italy. It’s about Passat/Camry sized. We rallied one around Spain years back; turbo diesel manual wagon fun.

[Iowagriz]

The other Euro threads were pretty specific, so my question lands here.

Has anyone done a European River Cruise. Viking has all the ads, but a few others come up as good. My my knee replacement recovery, this could be a decent alternative.

Probably one of the Danube cruises. Amsterdam to Basel
Budapest to Regensburg
A few others are similar. Being able to unpack once for a week is attractive. I haven't been attracted to Ocean Cruises as being unable to get off and explore isn't as easy. These dock daily for city exploration.

[El Chupacabra]

The other Euro threads were pretty specific, so my question lands here.

Has anyone done a European River Cruise. Viking has all the ads, but a few others come up as good. My my knee replacement recovery, this could be a decent alternative.

Probably one of the Danube cruises. Amsterdam to Basel
Budapest to Regensburg
A few others are similar. Being able to unpack once for a week is attractive. I haven't been attracted to Ocean Cruises as being unable to get off and explore isn't as easy. These dock daily for city exploration.

Mrs C and I did the Viking river cruise two years ago, with my mom and sister, from Budapest to Regensburg. Happy to talk to about any Qs you have - way more than I could write here.

Try to get the package / promo with free airfare from the US included - and you can extend it up to IIRC a total of 30 days if you want, into any major Euro city and return from any major Euro city. We extended ours a few days at the start, and then for about a week at the end, and did our own sightseeing in Germany. It was $100 pp to extend - I thought that was well worth it.

The Viking ship is very nice, food and drinks are excellent. Think of it as floating hotel with very small rooms. The itinerary is kind of rushed at each stop - - there's not a ton of time in each place. And the included excursions cater to an older, more sedate crowd - - walking tours are at a very gentle pace. This trip was a birthday trip for my 90-year old mom, and she did fine on the walking tours.

[Shredhead]

I've only been on one cruise and never thought I'd like them. But they are great for multi generational trips.

After my mom died. My dad was pretty despondent. He had never been on a cruise or to Alaska.
So we booked a big family trip and it gave him something to look forward to. He did great!

[Name Redacted]

My folks just got back from a Viking cruise in Europe and everyone on the boat got Norovirus. Kinda ruined the trip. I think they got a refund of some sort.

[riser4]

My folks just got back from a Viking cruise in Europe and everyone on the boat got Norovirus. Kinda ruined the trip. I think they got a refund of some sort.

That right there is why I never want to go on a cruise.

[bodywhomper]

Any y’all use the Timeshifter app? My BIL swears by it. he travels internationally for work. The app has a free trial.


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[Djongo Unchained]

My parents went on a bunch of those Euro river cruises and a couple of times they got hung up as the river level was too high and the ship/boat couldnt get under the bridges.
Just something to research if they anticipate those conditions.

[old goat]

My wife was supposed to do a one day cruise from Vienna to Bratislava--canceled due to low water. No notification, she found out when she showed up at the dock.

[Dantheman]

I've only been on one cruise and never thought I'd like them. But they are great for multi generational trips.

After my mom died. My dad was pretty despondent. He had never been on a cruise or to Alaska.
So we booked a big family trip and it gave him something to look forward to. He did great!

I'm generally a *hard* no on cruises, but would consider an AK one.

Any y’all use the Timeshifter app? My BIL swears by it. he travels internationally for work. The app has a free trial.


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I tried it on a trip to Hawaii about a year ago and it seemed to work well, but that's not a big time difference. I turned on a coworker to it who has used it for a few Euro trips and he says it's a game changer for big trips like that. Definitely try it.

[bodywhomper]

I’m gonna give timeshifter it a shot. They provide for a free trial for a trip. I plugged in our trip and the prescription seems pretty reasonable. The “avoid light” prescription could be challenging. It’s a running joke for my BIL at his work when it’s attending in-person meetings wearing dark glasses.

Re: euro river trips. When my folks went, they had to change ships because of low river levels. I think they got shuttled/bussed.

I am sure it is old hat for some on here, but I’d like to take the AK ferry from WA to Valdez or Whittier.


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[Meadow Skipper]

I haven’t done it for a long time, but in the 80s and 90s, the AK ferry was a pretty f’n cool. I’d get a cabin or roomette if I was feeling pretty solvent (get one with a window or porthole) but you can stay on deck under a solarium or in a deck chair, even pitch a small self-standing tent. I don’t think cabins and such are always available.

The bar patrons were usually interesting.

[Name Redacted]

We rode the ferry from Wittier to Valdez one year and our group drank the boat out of beer. They wouldn't let up go down to get more out of our vehicles. Probably a good idea. Some of us played poker with the captain for a majority of the cruise.