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Travel Articles - Europe
Practical Information and
Travel Tips
Group Travel
Europe on Your Own
Should you see Europe with a group tour or independently? Our article discusses
the pros and cons of each.
Rick Steves on Group Travel
(Interview)
The guidebook author and TV travel host gives an insider's perspective (with
warnings) on escorted tours. Also see our related review of his book,
Postcards
from Europe.
Languages
Hide This French Book 101
Hide This Spanish Book 101
Berlitz has published "a countdown of the 101 hottest expressions" in two
languages. The inexpensive books make great bon voyage or buen viaje
gifts for hip travelers and semester- or year-abroad students.
Pets
Europe for Pets Know the facts about European pet travel before bringing Fido or Fifi.
Photography
The Ultimate Camera Bag for Travelers
Martin Billingham of England has designed a nearly perfect hybrid of a camera
bag and travel tote.
The Ultimate Travel
Camera?
Archived article:
A low-end photographer takes a high-end 35mm camera to Europe.
Shopping
Tax-Free Shopping
Spend enough money in a European shop, and you may be entitled to a refund of
Value-Added Tax (VAT). Here's how it works.
Paris Shopping
An illustrated review of Through The Windows of Paris: Fifty Unique Shops,
by Michael Webb.
The Riches of Paris
A review of Meribeth Clemente's The Riches of Paris: A Shopping and Touring
Guide, with excerpts and links to other resources on Paris and shopping in
Europe.
Smoking
Smoking in Europe
The stereotype of ubiquitous Gitanes and Gauloises is fading, thanks to indoor smoking
bans in an increasing number of Western European countries.
Telephones
Talk Abroad
If you're visiting from abroad and touring more than one country, the National
Geographic Talk Abroad SIM card is a convenient way to travel with your GSM
phone.
National
Geographic Travel Phone
Cellular Abroad offers rental phones for U.S. travelers that provide affordable
roaming in Europe. The phone includes both U.S. and European phone numbers
(including your home number, if you wish).
Vintage Travel
Packing for Europe in 1966 Forget your travel stereotypes about the Swinging Sixties. To the parents of
North America's
hippie generation, packing for Europe was more about suitcases and foundation
garments than backpacks or tie-dyed t-shirts.
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