Cyprus will officially adopt the euro on January 1, 2008 but what does that mean?
For a period of one month, known as the “parallel circulation period”, both the euro and Cyprus banknotes and coins will be accepted as legal tender for cash transactions. However, salaries will be paid in euros, prices will be posted in euros and any bank or ATM with drawls will be in euros only. In fact, if you use Cyprus currency to pay for an item, you’ll receive euros in change.
After January 31, Cyprus currency will no longer be accepted, but it can still be exchanged free of charge for a period of two years for coins and up to ten years for banknotes.
For more information, see the Central Bank of Cyprus’s National Website for the Euro.
December 28, 2007
December 20, 2007
How to pack a hockey stick
Cycling through Europe? Golfing at your resort? You’ll want to check with your airline about luggage restrictions, packing instructions and extra costs you might face on your trip. Many items are oversized, and if packed separately will count as excess baggage. There are even limits to how an item can be packed.
For instance: most equipment must be packed in hard shell containers. Golf bags can contain no more than 14 clubs, 12 balls and a single pair of shoes. Skis and boots should be packed together to avoid additional fees. Scuba equipment can be especially tricky as each piece (empty tank, harness, safety vest, etc) are considered individual items.
Your best bet at avoiding hassles and expenses? Find out all you can from your airline, but keep tabs on changing policy. Air Canada, for example, requires passengers to register their sports equipment for travel after January 7, 2008. British Airways banned some sports items in November 2007, causing some confusion as to what was allowed. Information on what items it allows (and will carry for free) can be found on their website.
A little know-how can save you time and spare you hassle at the airport.
December 17, 2007
Schengen area grows again
Planning a trip to Europe? The Schengen Convention is about to make it a little easier. (The “Schengen Area” is the common name for member countries who have implemented the agreement).As of December 21, nine new countries -- Poland, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary -- will be added.
What does this mean for travellers?
If you’re not familiar with the Schengen Convention, it’s the agreement whereby member countries have common rules regarding visas, asylum rights and controls at the external borders. Internal border controls among member countries have been abolished.
In other words, if you plan to visit more than one of the 22 countries involved, a Schengen visa will cover the entire area. Generally, most travellers do not need a visa for stays than 90 days, unless travelling for work, research or study.
However, since border post and controls between member countries have been abolished travel delays, particularly on the roadways, have significantly decreased. In other words, the more countries involved, the easier it is to get around without hassle.
Many of the European Union countries have also signed the Schengen Convention, but the United Kingdom and Ireland are exceptions. Switzerland will be the next country to implement the Schengen agreement sometime in 2008.
What does this mean for travellers?
If you’re not familiar with the Schengen Convention, it’s the agreement whereby member countries have common rules regarding visas, asylum rights and controls at the external borders. Internal border controls among member countries have been abolished.
In other words, if you plan to visit more than one of the 22 countries involved, a Schengen visa will cover the entire area. Generally, most travellers do not need a visa for stays than 90 days, unless travelling for work, research or study.
However, since border post and controls between member countries have been abolished travel delays, particularly on the roadways, have significantly decreased. In other words, the more countries involved, the easier it is to get around without hassle.
Many of the European Union countries have also signed the Schengen Convention, but the United Kingdom and Ireland are exceptions. Switzerland will be the next country to implement the Schengen agreement sometime in 2008.
December 13, 2007
New surcharge at Jamaican hotels
Travelling to Jamaica? Confirm your costs before you go.
Planning a trip to Jamaica this winter to beat the cold? It may cost more than you think. According to recent travel advice and media reports, hotels in Jamaica will be adding an “occupancy surcharge” of USD$10 per night per room. Following suit with many cruise companies and other travel service providers, hotels are implementing the surcharge to cover the rising costs of fuel.
What can you do about it? Unfortunately, not much – The Jamaica Hotels and Tourist Association (JHTA) supports the move. Currently, organizations such as the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) are warning hotels against the surcharge on the grounds it could damage tourism.
What do to if you’ve planned a trip: A recent article on TravelMole notes that not all hotels and resorts will implement the surcharge and will instead focus on energy conservation. A recent update to the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice for Jamaica recommends that travellers confirm the costs of their accommodations ahead of time to avoid any misunderstandings.
For the latest news and advice, see our Jamaica Travel Advisory page.
Planning a trip to Jamaica this winter to beat the cold? It may cost more than you think. According to recent travel advice and media reports, hotels in Jamaica will be adding an “occupancy surcharge” of USD$10 per night per room. Following suit with many cruise companies and other travel service providers, hotels are implementing the surcharge to cover the rising costs of fuel.
What can you do about it? Unfortunately, not much – The Jamaica Hotels and Tourist Association (JHTA) supports the move. Currently, organizations such as the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) are warning hotels against the surcharge on the grounds it could damage tourism.
What do to if you’ve planned a trip: A recent article on TravelMole notes that not all hotels and resorts will implement the surcharge and will instead focus on energy conservation. A recent update to the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice for Jamaica recommends that travellers confirm the costs of their accommodations ahead of time to avoid any misunderstandings.
For the latest news and advice, see our Jamaica Travel Advisory page.
December 10, 2007
Four Unusual Food Festivities
Experience food in a whole new way with these unusual events around the world:
42 Below Cocktail World Cup, Queenstown, New Zealand (September): Bar tenders from around the world convene for this popular event. The challenge: creating new drinks in unusual contests, such as Bungy shaking.
World Porridge Making Championships, Carrbridge, UK (October): Who makes the best traditional Scottish porridge? Find out at this annual festival. Events include a farmer’s market, live entertainment and the Carrbridge Challenge runs.
Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest, Guam (October): An unusual twist on the usual pumpkin carving contest -- This version, now in its 15th year, requires contestants to craft their creations on the ocean floor.
Festival of the Radishes, Oaxaca, Mexico (December): This event features live music and dance, but the real focus is on the sculptures carved from this featured vegetable.
For other interesting events around the world, see the World Event Guide.
42 Below Cocktail World Cup, Queenstown, New Zealand (September): Bar tenders from around the world convene for this popular event. The challenge: creating new drinks in unusual contests, such as Bungy shaking.
World Porridge Making Championships, Carrbridge, UK (October): Who makes the best traditional Scottish porridge? Find out at this annual festival. Events include a farmer’s market, live entertainment and the Carrbridge Challenge runs.
Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest, Guam (October): An unusual twist on the usual pumpkin carving contest -- This version, now in its 15th year, requires contestants to craft their creations on the ocean floor.
Festival of the Radishes, Oaxaca, Mexico (December): This event features live music and dance, but the real focus is on the sculptures carved from this featured vegetable.
For other interesting events around the world, see the World Event Guide.
December 7, 2007
Here’s to your (travel) health
Looking for health information for a specific country? Here’s where to find it.
Recognizing that travel health is an important issue, a number of health sites have improved their information over the past year. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) traded its broad region pages for new country-specific pages as part of its new release in Summer 2007. Visitors can now find content related to particular country in addition to general information on health-related issues and outbreak news.
As of September 2007, the UK-based National Travel Health Network and Center (NaTHNaC) now features country information pages meant to be used in conjunction with a pre-travel health consultation. The content includes both general health issues as well as location-specific risks.
When is the best time to look into health concerns? You’ll want to book an appointment with a travel health clinic at least six to eight weeks before your trip for vaccinations.
Recognizing that travel health is an important issue, a number of health sites have improved their information over the past year. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) traded its broad region pages for new country-specific pages as part of its new release in Summer 2007. Visitors can now find content related to particular country in addition to general information on health-related issues and outbreak news.
As of September 2007, the UK-based National Travel Health Network and Center (NaTHNaC) now features country information pages meant to be used in conjunction with a pre-travel health consultation. The content includes both general health issues as well as location-specific risks.
When is the best time to look into health concerns? You’ll want to book an appointment with a travel health clinic at least six to eight weeks before your trip for vaccinations.
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