A Briggs Passport & Visa Expeditors

The U.S. State Department just issued a travel alert regarding travel to Serbia (Capitol is Belgrade) and Serbia (Capitol is Prisina). If you are in Europe or going there, stay away from that area.

Here is the alert from the State Department:

This travel alert is being issued to inform U.S. citizens of safety and security concerns from ongoing demonstrations in Serbia related to Kosovo’s recent declaration of independence.

This travel alert expires on March 6, 2008.

On February 21, a large organized demonstration in front of the Serbian Parliament in downtown Belgrade turned violent. Street protesters in different locations clashed with police and have attacked the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade. The U.S. Embassy in Belgrade remains temporarily closed to the public. U.S. citizens are advised to remain in a secure location and avoid downtown Belgrade.

The U.S. Embassy consular section will be closed on Friday, February 22, and Monday, February 25. U.S. citizens or family members concerned for the safety of U.S. citizens in Serbia or with an afterhour’s emergency may call 24/7 at 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada. Callers outside the U.S. and Canada should call our regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

The U.S. Embassy in Belgrade expects that future gatherings and events protesting Kosovo’s declaration of independence, both official and unofficial, could pose security risks for onlookers and participants. Businesses and organizations with U.S. affiliations may serve as focal points for these demonstrations.

We wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. Avoid the areas of demonstrations and exercise caution. Since the timing and routes of marches and demonstrations are always subject to change, American citizens should monitor local media sources for new developments.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
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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.

This is our new section dedicated to travel articles. Enjoy!