 Antibes, France Courtesy of Michael Hejtmanek |
International airfare:
International and intra-European travel will be the responsibility of individual students. Students must make their own transatlantic air travel arrangements.
Beaches: On the French Riviera not all beaches are sandy and “foot-friendly.” This is true in Nice. If you like, bring appropriate footwear or buy it in Nice. There are however sandy beaches a short train or bus ride from Nice.
Airfares to Europe can vary greatly depending on several variables. Students are encouraged to make their plans early to take advantage of advance purchase options and fare wars. Pay attention to ads placed in newspapers and on the Internet to take advantage of them.
Participants should consult a good travel agent and/or the travel section of the Sunday editions of the New York Times, the Washington Post and other major newspapers for special airfares offered by wholesalers and consolidators. There are also reputable web-sites that sell advertised or discounted airfares or auction airfares. Among others, you may wish to inquire at:
www.statravel.com (these two are student travel agencies: Must have an ISIC card)
www.travelocity.com (orbitz, expedia and travelocity produce the lowest flight itinerary on most major airlines - they are good sites for comparison shopping on advertised fares)
www.priceline.com (these sites allow you to bid for plane tickets)
If you participate in an auction, be careful not to end paying more than you would by going directly through a travel agent or the airline. Many airlines now sell discounted airfares if the passengers books the ticket directly on the airline’s web-site. Among others, STA Travel, which has offices at many universities, offers attractively discounted airfares to students. Inquire at: www.statravel.com
Airport of arrival: AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS
Airport of departure: NICE, FRANCE. Nearest alternative airports: Marseille, France or Genova, Italy.
Note: If you travel through London to go to Amsterdam and return, and you need a visa to enter the EU, you probably will need a visa to enter the UK as well. Inquire!
Travel within Europe:
Travel within Europe and the cities visited will be by train, metro and other public transportation. For the purposes of the program, there will be 4 program-related long-distance train trips on different dates. Students should consider purchasing the appropriate Eurailpass or Europass, only if they plan to travel before, during and/or after the program. There are different types of passes. Passes for people not yet 26 years of age are discounted. There is also a discount when two or more people purchase a pass & travel together. Please, explore your options with your travel agent and/or check one of the many Eurailpass web-sites like:
European students should consider purchasing an Interrail pass. For more information visit: www.interrailer.net
Please note that students fewer than 26 years of age often can purchase discounted train fares in Europe. Unless you plan to travel extensively on your own, for the purposes of this program, the Eurailpass or Europass are probably not cost-effective.
Security While Traveling in Europe: We must be very careful and alert when traveling at all times but particularly when we move from city to city. Using a safety pouch or belt to carry valuables on your person is strongly recommended. Luggage is at times stolen from trains. Try to keep luggage with or close to you when on train. Keep an eye on it at all train stops. If you bring a laptop, it is a good idea to consider buying a safety cable to secure it when you leave the hotel or when you place it on an overhead rack on a train. As a group traveling together with luggage, etc. we attract attention. Do not leave luggage unattended in public places, including the hotel lobby upon check-in. Develop a buddy system to watch out for each other’s safety.
Visa: No visa is needed at this time for U.S., Canadian and European Union citizens. Citizens of other countries should inquire about the possible need for a visa. The Schengen agreement among several European Union countries simplifies the process. The visa that one obtains from one of the countries that participate in Schengen is valid for travel to all countries of the European Union except the U.K., Ireland and, depending, Denmark. Thus, only one visa is needed. Please, inquire at the nearest Belgian, or Dutch or French Consulate to verify that this simplified procedure applies to you and to this itinerary. Most probably you will need a letter of acceptance and proof of hotel reservation from Prof. Viano.
Additional Travel Resources
Information is being updated constantly, so check with your airline for the latest security procedures and recommendations, or visit the website of the Federal Aviation Administration (http://www.faa.gov). We also recommend reading the “Safe Trip Abroad” publication of the US State Department. Please visit: http://travel.state.gov/asafetripabroad.html. The Department of Homeland Security’s website is: www.dhs.gov
Travel within cities: In special cases, transportation for some institutional visits will be provided at no cost to you. Otherwise, we will use public transportation (metro, trolley, bus etc.) All transportation expenses, related or not to the program, are your responsibility.0
How to “stretch” your travel funds further:
1. Avoid exchanging dollars for local currency at hotel front desks. Banks are better. American Express has a reputation for the fairest rates for cash. There is no commission for American Express traveler’s checks at AMEX offices.
2. Whenever possible, shop with a major credit card instead of cash. Generally, you will receive a better exchange rate.
3. Preferably, use public transportation between airport and hotel and vice versa, unless you can share a taxi. Take the time to learn the local subway and bus systems well and use them instead of taxis.
4. For eating, select local "pubs" that have good atmosphere and decent food at less cost than fancy restaurants. At fast food restaurants, check the price before you order your favorite item since costs in Europe are generally higher.
5. Avoid using phones in your hotel room or operated with a credit card in a hotel to make direct long distance calls. The costs are generally quite high. Use instead the USA direct approach through AT&T, MCI or other American phone company. At times, USA direct can be accessed from hotel room phones; you may however be charged for the local call by the hotel. It is advisable to keep good records of phone calls you place from your hotel room in case of disputes with the hotel.
6. You can obtain a tax rebate if you export (take with you when leaving the country/European Union or mail abroad/outside the EU) what you buy. This can amount to a substantial discount, particularly where the Value Added Tax (VAT) is high. This is generally easy to do in the larger stores, provided you follow some simple rules. In most case a minimum amount (ranging from $100-150) must be purchased to qualify. It varies from country to country. You will need to get a special form filled out by the store and validated at the designated Customs desk at the “port of exit”, in our case Frankfurt a.m. You will need to get your “tax free” forms (from place of purchase) stamped by the French customs official, at the Paris airport. Then, you can get a refund via mail as a check or on your credit card.
NOTE ON CRIME IN PARIS and OTHER MAJOR CITIES
(Many of these points also apply to AMSTERDAM, NICE and to any major city anywhere in the world)
We urge everybody to use common sense and caution to best protect themselves. As a major international city, Paris (and also London and Barcelona) can be expected to have its own share of crime, particularly at the height of the tourist season.
-The Latin Quarter and the square of Saint Michel are tourist hot spots. Accordingly, people who prey on tourists also operate there. Be careful and alert for pick-pockets. At night be particularly careful and avoid narrow or dark side streets.
-There have been a number of violent armed robberies, including knife attacks, in the vicinity of the Eiffel Tower late at night. Pickpockets are very much operating there. It is not uncommon to see people being pickpocketed while you wait in line. Also reportedly there are men exposing themselves on New York Avenue in the general area of the tower. If you go to the tower at night, go with others and be very alert!
-If you go to see a live show at the Moulin Rouge, be advised that the area where it is located (Pigalle) is one of Paris’ two main “sex shop” and “red light” districts. We advise you to stay in groups if visiting that area, and stay alert. If intending to visit other, less reputable entertainment establishments in this area, be warned that many engage in aggressive marketing and charge well beyond the normal rate for their drinks. There have been reports of threats of violence to coerce patrons into paying exorbitant beverage tabs. Be very careful if seeking entertainment in this area of Paris. Take similar precautions in the Red Lights district of Amsterdam.
-There have been reports of robberies involving thieves on motorcycles who reach into a moving car by opening the car door or reach through an open window to steal purses and other bags visible inside or yank a purse from a woman’s hand or shoulder. Those traveling by car or taxi in Paris should remember to keep windows closed and doors locked. Wear your purse on the “inside” when walking on the street and walk preferably away from the curb.
- The Number One Subway Line, which runs by many major tourist attractions (including the Grand Arch at La Defense, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, Chatelet, Concorde, Louvre, and Bastille), is the site of many thefts. Pickpockets are especially active on this metro line during the summer months. A time honored technique is: Often, one thief distracts the tourist with a question about directions or what time it is, while an accomplice takes a momentarily unguarded backpack, briefcase or purse. Another technique back in vogue particularly against males is to squirt some “gook” on your back, then alert you to your situation and offer you “help” (e.g. a tissue) to wipe it out. While you are distracted and especially if you put down your briefcase or suitcase and take your jacket off, you will be “cleaned up” by the “helper’s” confederates. Thieves also time their thefts to coincide with train stops so that they may quickly exit the car. Sex appeal is also used when attractive women or men flirt with tourists of the opposite gender, distracting them, while their confederates do their stealing. In Nice, pickpockets are reportedly very active in the Old Town and pedestrian-only sections of the city.
- Train stations, particularly Gare du Nord train station, are a high-risk area for pick pocketing and theft. Develop a buddy watch system to watch out for each other and guard luggage if you leave it even for an instant.
- Many thefts occur at the major department stores (Galeries Lafeyette, Printemps, and La Samaritaine) where tourists often leave wallets, passports, and credit cards on cashier counters during transactions.
- In hotels, thieves frequent lobbies and breakfast rooms, and take advantage of a minute of inattention to snatch jackets, purses and luggage, backpacks. Also, while many hotels do have safety latches that allow guests to secure their rooms while they are inside, this feature is not as universal as it is in the United States. If no chain or latch is present, a chair placed up against the door is usually an effective obstacle to surreptitious entry. If you like, you can buy a portable latch from travel stores or websites like Magellan’s.
- In restaurants/bars women's purses placed on the floor under the table at the feet of the diner or on the back of the chair are often stolen during the meal.
- ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) are very common in France and provide ready access to cash, allowing travelers to carry as much money as they need for each day. The rates are competitive with local exchange bureaus and an ATM transaction is easier than the cashing of travelers' checks. However, crimes committed around ATMs have been reported. Travelers should not use an ATM in isolated, unlit areas or when loiterers are in the vicinity. Travelers should be especially aware of persons standing close enough to see the PIN (Personal Identification Number) being entered into the machine. Thieves often conduct successful scams by simply observing the PIN as it is entered. If the card becomes stuck, travelers should be wary of persons offering to help and even asking for the PIN to "fix" the machine. Legitimate bank employees never have a reason to ask for the PIN.
-Of course, most people visiting Paris, Amsterdam or other major cities do not experience any crime. Please protect yourself so that you don’t experience crime either! Men should definitely not carry their wallet in their pants backpocket. Women should not carry valuables in purses open or poorly secured by an ineffective latch. Pickpockets are known to deftly cut through a zipped purse or bag and steal valuables that way. One of the better protections is to carry the least amount of valuables with you and to carry them in a belt or pouch worn on your body under your clothing.