A Briggs Passport & Visa Expeditors

Frommers, the respected travel information source wrote an excellent article on problems Americans are having in the Europe when trying to pay by credit card with a card issued in the U.S.

The problem is serious and in this case we refer you to this article in Frommers online publication on this subject. It describes the problem and suggests workable solutions, although not all are completely fail safe. If you are traveling to Europe, be sure a read this carefully.

Carry your passport with you at all times as it will help you identify yourself to merchants that accept credit cards. Be sure your passport is valid before leaving.

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Planning a trip? Is your passport up to date? Click here to order a Passport.

Transit workers are striking in Paris and Budapest. If you plan to travel there, check to insure that you can get to your destination and double check any rental car reservations. The strikes are supposed to end November 21st, but check to be sure.

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Planning a trip? Is your passport up to date? Click here to order a visa and check the requirements for entry.

The strikes in France continue and the future is uncertain, so even if it ends, it may start again without any advance notice.

We recommend staying away from France all together.

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Planning a trip? Is your passport up to date? Click here to order a visa and check the requirements for entry.

French public transport will stop in France at midnight tonight. In addition, utility unions will probably limit electricity production and theaters will close. This is the second strike in a month.

The protest against President Sarkozy’s plan to reduce pensions will include teachers and civil servants starting next week.

This will not be a pleasant time to visit France. Unions there like to inconvenience as many people as possible, so they can get what they want quicker.

Seven unions called for a strike of unknown duration at the operator of Paris’s metros, buses and tramways, so be ready for this if you are traveling to Paris. Although he said, “We want to keep this strike as short as possible,” Christian Mahieux, a union leader at SNCF, the national rail company, is not someone who really cares based on our past impression of his actions, especially since Xavier Bertrand, the Labor Minister was quoted as saying “The government has no other choice but to give in.”

Strikers will demonstrate tomorrow in the afternoon in Paris, the local Paris authorities reported. Civil servants, teachers and public workers have set a strike for Nov. 20

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Planning a trip? Is your passport up to date? Click here to order a visa and check the requirements for entry.

The Libyan government denied entry to tourists because they didn’t have an Arabic translation of their passport — even though they had valid visas.
The sudden unannounced change in entry rules was revealed after planeloads of European tourists were forced to return home after touchdown in Libya. The government in Tripoli has still not officially announced the change and government officials could not be reached for comment Monday.

The development is a reflection of a government that lives in terror of its “leader,” who is an impetuous, pathological killer trying to get in good graces with the West, even as he continues to follow his whims and murderous ways

Eighteen French nationals were stranded at Tripoli airport since Sunday night, and France’s ambassador to Libya intervened in their behalf and they were then allowed to leave.

172 French citizens who arrived Sunday were not allowed to get off their charter flight run by Air Mediterranee which returned to Paris. Then 83 French citizens in Libya were not able to leave because of the rule change applies to tourists exiting Libya.

37 passengers were sent back to Zurich Sunday on a Swiss flight, also because they were not carrying Arabic-language translation of their passports.

He said the airline’s office in Libya was caught unaware of the new rules, which came into force just hours before the Swiss plane landed Sunday.

We suggest that persons planning to travel to Libya postpone their trip until this situation is cleared up.

Planning a trip? Is your passport up to date? Click here to order a visa and check the requirements for entry.

The French unions are after President Sarkozy and his new “American” policies of cutting waste. The first step is a rail strike set for November 13th and is “renewable” every 24 hours.

Be sure and keep up with the news in France if you are traveling there. French unions have a history of wanting to inconvenience as many people as possible to get their way.

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Planning a trip? Is your passport up to date? Click here to order a visa and check the requirements for entry.

Air France’s labor problems have abated but be careful because we think they will likely come back again, but not for some months. We’ll keep you posted.

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Planning a trip? Is your passport up to date? Click here to order a visa and check the requirements for entry.

Air France is on strike and many flights are delayed or cancelled. Although officials said 90% of flights would be flying tomorrow, remember that this is a French union that is notorious for its desire to cause the public serious inconvenice to get across their message, irrespective of who is hurt by its actions.

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Planning a trip? Is your passport up to date? Click here to order a visa and check the requirements for entry.

By Kimberly Carlson

If you’re like most couples or families, taking a cruise for your vacation always sounds like a great idea. On the other hand, there are some many different cruises to choose from that it can sometimes seem easier to just take a road trip to the nearest campground or amusement park.

The key to making sense of all the cruises out there is to narrow it down to the ones that you might like. To do that, all you need to do is decide where you want to go, when you want to go, and what cruise line to use. After that, you’ll be left with a few great options and you can’t lose.

Where to Go

The short answer is anywhere. Most people think of the Caribbean when they think of cruises, but there are so many more options to choose from. There are great trips that sail around Alaska. There are other trips that sail in the Mediterranean. Still more go to South America, but just because there are a lot of options doesn’t mean they’re all right for you and your family.

The best way to narrow down your options is to decide what types of things you want to do while the ship is in port. Most boats will be pretty similar while you’re on the boat but will change drastically when you get off. If you want a lot of outdoor adventures while you’re in port, look at the Alaskan cruises. There will likely be lots of things you wouldn’t be able to experience anywhere else. If history is more your thing, look at the Mediterranean cruises. They usually make stops in Italy, Spain, and France. Try to tailor your current interests towards making your cruise as enjoyable as possible.

When to Go

Again, the short answer is anytime. Cruises are offered by various cruise lines year-around. However, there’s more to think about. When will it be most relaxing? When can you afford to make your cruise everything it can be? Basically, when will it be most enjoyable? Popular times to take a cruise include during winter vacation, spring vacation, or the summer. On the other hand, you can get great deals on cruises during other off-peak times, like the fall.

What Cruise Line to Go On

Finally, you just need to decide which cruise line you want to use. Some might not travel to the location you want to go, so that will be the first step in narrowing down your choices. Others might cater to families, couples, or singles. If you’re taking a family on a cruise, you should definitely avoid using a cruise line that attracts singles. Some might offer amenities that you definitely want to take advantage of, others might offer amenities that you really don’t want to pay for. Once you’ve established where to go, when to go, and what cruise line to go on, the decision won’t be too difficult to make.

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Planning a cruise? You might need a visa. Click here to find out visa requirements for various countries.

About The Author:

Kimberly Carlson is an avid traveller and prefers to do all her own research and bookings on line. She has learned the ins and out on cruise holiday pricing and options. You can find more of her interesting articles at Cruise and Tours Online.

By Kimberly Carlson

If you’re like most couples or families, taking a cruise for your vacation always sounds like a great idea. On the other hand, there are some many different cruises to choose from that it can sometimes seem easier to just take a road trip to the nearest campground or amusement park.

The key to making sense of all the cruises out there is to narrow it down to the ones that you might like. To do that, all you need to do is decide where you want to go, when you want to go, and what cruise line to use. After that, you’ll be left with a few great options and you can’t lose.

Where to Go

The short answer is anywhere. Most people think of the Caribbean when they think of cruises, but there are so many more options to choose from. There are great trips that sail around Alaska. There are other trips that sail in the Mediterranean. Still more go to South America, but just because there are a lot of options doesn’t mean they’re all right for you and your family.

The best way to narrow down your options is to decide what types of things you want to do while the ship is in port. Most boats will be pretty similar while you’re on the boat but will change drastically when you get off. If you want a lot of outdoor adventures while you’re in port, look at the Alaskan cruises. There will likely be lots of things you wouldn’t be able to experience anywhere else. If history is more your thing, look at the Mediterranean cruises. They usually make stops in Italy, Spain, and France. Try to tailor your current interests towards making your cruise as enjoyable as possible.

When to Go

Again, the short answer is anytime. Cruises are offered by various cruise lines year-around. However, there’s more to think about. When will it be most relaxing? When can you afford to make your cruise everything it can be? Basically, when will it be most enjoyable? Popular times to take a cruise include during winter vacation, spring vacation, or the summer. On the other hand, you can get great deals on cruises during other off-peak times, like the fall.

What Cruise Line to Go On

Finally, you just need to decide which cruise line you want to use. Some might not travel to the location you want to go, so that will be the first step in narrowing down your choices. Others might cater to families, couples, or singles. If you’re taking a family on a cruise, you should definitely avoid using a cruise line that attracts singles. Some might offer amenities that you definitely want to take advantage of, others might offer amenities that you really don’t want to pay for. Once you’ve established where to go, when to go, and what cruise line to go on, the decision won’t be too difficult to make.

————————————————

Planning a cruise? You might need a visa. Click here to find out visa requirements for various countries.

About The Author:

Kimberly Carlson is an avid traveller and prefers to do all her own research and bookings on line. She has learned the ins and out on cruise holiday pricing and options. You can find more of her interesting articles at Cruise and Tours Online.