Passports

[BUTTERFLY]

France, England, Austria, Czech Republic and Italy of course...lol

[Highlander65]

Holland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, & France. Some twice in two trips.

[Skinny Bastard]

One thing you should know about traveling in Europe is that the Tax to purchase items can sometimes be quite high. This is because of a "value added tax" (VAT) that is charged in addition to the standard sales tax. Often, the VAT isn't so obvious as it is sometimes rolled into the price. As a visitor, you might be able to reclaim a portion of the VAT that you pay during your trip, but it requires a bit of effort on your part.

You can read more about VAT and reclaiming it here: http://wcdirect1.ijet.com/direct/Displa ... ioId=14853

[bd55]

I have been in all Western Europe. MC and Visa are accepted pretty much in any European country. Just avoid American Express.

You might want to ask your bank if they have any partners where you are going. Usually you pay a fee for withdrawing cash from an atm, but banks sometimes have agreements with their partners on that.

And heed SM's advice: do ask for a Tax Free (or globalrefund) form if you shop for anything expensive. You will have to deliver the form at the airport and they may ask you to show the goods, but VAT can be up to 19% in some places. Not all shops have the form, but it does not hurt to ask.

Here is some info on it:

http://www.globalrefund.com/default.asp?viewSiteId=8

[AYHJA]

Ahh, nice..! Right now things are shaping up for the UK or Northern Italy...Once I get my Passport approved, I'll know more for sure...I'm pretty gassed about it...When I go, this will be my 2nd time in a plane...Probably not going to be anything like fun for me, but I'm guessing it will be better once I'm on the ground...If all goes well, I won't have to pay for much out of my own pocket, but when I do, I'm definitely sure that that VAT info will come in handy...Thanks bd55 for adding your $0.02..! Always good to see ya M8...

[Skinny Bastard]

$0.02? looked more like $0.04 after VAT to me....... CDR

[deepdiver32073]

This is good info guys! I just picked up my passport app at the PO the other day. I'm planning on going to Italy (Sicily) sometime in the next year or two. Funny to think that in my 50+ years, I've never been out of the states... been right up to the Canadian border, but never crossed it. I've been to 45 of the 50 states, but never stepped on foot on foreign soil. YET!

[RIMFIRE]

Netherlands, England, France, Turkey, Egypt (lived there), Cyprus, Chile, Easter Island, Brazil, Mexico, Canada (Ontario, BC) and all 49 States.....no Hawaii at this point.

I just priced a project in Saudi Arabia (Mada'in Saleh). That would be a pretty cool place to be.....so needless to say if I get it, I'm sportin' wood!