Back to the Med Greece/Turkey in 2013! Complete!

[mindelmouse]

It took several sittings but I finally finished reading through the entire pre-trip report. We are a three-generation family sailing in August 2013. I obsessed over the three days in Barcelona, then turned my obsessiveness to Italy. Then I saw y'all got your tickets to Sagrada Familia and I remembered I need to return my obsessiveness back to Spain.

I started a pre-trip report but it's not nearly so chatty as yours. I'm expecting my Keens in today. I'm a little (OK, a lot) worried about foot comfort. And heat. We really couldn't fit in the cruise before August because of camps and volunteer stuff so I'm hoping it will be OK -- we live in Texas, so we are used to it. As my 13 year old said, "Mom, it's going to be hot whether we are there or here."

Keep posting.... and I'll keep reading....

JoAnn

Hey Joann

Welcome! We went in August last time. It was hot but we mustered through. You'll be fine. Our kids melted at the Vatican but ultimately survived. We're hoping this time we get a little cooler weather. There's a lot to do in Barcelona. As you can see by the postings, kim is the planner and I'm the tag a long. So much better than my last Med cruise when I hadn't met Kim yet and had to plan everything myself. .

 

[pixie08]

I see in your siggie you're about to take a vacation....cruise or WDW?

This time WDW. We are going for F&G/SWW/ Monstrous 24 day. Our last cruise was Alaska, so that's why I am itching for one.

 

[pixie08]

Hey Joann

Welcome! We went in August last time. It was hot but we mustered through. You'll be fine. Our kids melted at the Vatican but ultimately survived. We're hoping this time we get a little cooler weather. There's a lot to do in Barcelona. As you can see by the postings, kim is the planner and I'm the tag a long. So much better than my last Med cruise when I hadn't met Kim yet and had to plan everything myself. .

Hot is an understatement, it was August though and to be expected I guess. Be prepared is the best advice

Have lots of water on hand and do not over-exert yourself.

 

[MinnieDiva]

It took several sittings but I finally finished reading through the entire pre-trip report. We are a three-generation family sailing in August 2013. I obsessed over the three days in Barcelona, then turned my obsessiveness to Italy. Then I saw y'all got your tickets to Sagrada Familia and I remembered I need to return my obsessiveness back to Spain.

I started a pre-trip report but it's not nearly so chatty as yours. I'm expecting my Keens in today. I'm a little (OK, a lot) worried about foot comfort. And heat. We really couldn't fit in the cruise before August because of camps and volunteer stuff so I'm hoping it will be OK -- we live in Texas, so we are used to it. As my 13 year old said, "Mom, it's going to be hot whether we are there or here."

Keep posting.... and I'll keep reading....

JoAnn

Welcome to the insanity! If you can survive July in TX, you'll survive the Med! You won't have the humidity that you're used to....that'll help a lot!

 

[MinnieDiva]

Until we leave. 35 until we sail. i'm in the"OMGIHAVEN'TBEGANTOPACKANYTHING" mode . My spare room (where I place all that needs to be packed) is completely trashed. I decided to paint my daughter's room and guess where all the stuff went? Yup. If I manage to pry myself away from the computer here soon and start my day, finishing the last bit of painting is on my list of to-do's. The hubby can replace the baseboards tomorrow and then we can get this show back on track.

I whipped up a pirate night shirt for my dad this week . It got sent off yesterday and as soon as I get a reading from him on its fit, I can finish the last bloody embarkation day shirt. I never want to see that fabric again. (not really, but wow was that a big project). I cannot WAIT to see the really cool pics!

I'm contemplating (GULP) the CD from Shutters. DD needs new shoes. And my staffing at work just blew up...worst week ever...to the point where I get to work tomorrow. Sigh.

Have a great weekend everyone and happy mother's day to all the moms...

 

[drlaurafsu]

Poor MinnieDiva. Sounds like a stressful home and work situation. Get through the next couple of days and make packing lists on the computer as your starting to pack until you finish the home projects. At least you can make progress...and not stress about where to put it.

We have much house stress too...thank goodness work is ok right now. I too have something I need to work on that is due at 8:30 Monday morning but I'm trying to enjoy today for a bit.

Soon its vacation time! And you can sit back and relax for a couple of weeks!

 

[mindelmouse]

Until we leave. 35 until we sail. i'm in the"OMGIHAVEN'TBEGANTOPACKANYTHING" mode . My spare room (where I place all that needs to be packed) is completely trashed. I decided to paint my daughter's room and guess where all the stuff went? Yup. If I manage to pry myself away from the computer here soon and start my day, finishing the last bit of painting is on my list of to-do's. The hubby can replace the baseboards tomorrow and then we can get this show back on track.

I whipped up a pirate night shirt for my dad this week . It got sent off yesterday and as soon as I get a reading from him on its fit, I can finish the last bloody embarkation day shirt. I never want to see that fabric again. (not really, but wow was that a big project). I cannot WAIT to see the really cool pics!

I'm contemplating (GULP) the CD from Shutters. DD needs new shoes. And my staffing at work just blew up...worst week ever...to the point where I get to work tomorrow. Sigh.

Have a great weekend everyone and happy mother's day to all the moms...

Stop the stressing. I dont have a free wkd between now and when we leave. Not to mention I havent tried any of my clothes on. So less luggage for me. Lol. Stop the stressing and obssessing you'll be fine. It will get done. Its vacation. If you have time would love a pirate shirt. ))))))

 

[MinnieDiva]

Stop the stressing. I dont have a free wkd between now and when we leave. Not to mention I havent tried any of my clothes on. So less luggage for me. Lol. Stop the stressing and obssessing you'll be fine. It will get done. Its vacation. If you have time would love a pirate shirt. ))))))

Yeah. Don't see that happening....but I'll keep it in mind. Lol.

 

[mindelmouse]

So we've been relatively quiet of late.. but we actually are leaving 3 weeks from yesterday, Kim is leaving home the day before. Funny part is that her final flight to Europe leaves NYC, I hour before my flight leaves from Philly. Funny how things work out.

So much done and so much still to do. This week should bring printing a couple of magnets, printing pirate T shirts from a design I had my favorite designer create, and then going through clothes. This will be particularly painful for me since I never lost the 20lbs I said I needed to ...I really tried...this past week was a disaster...had a work seminar for 3 days, went to NYC, and had my 15th wedding anniversary. Guess it's water and diet food for the rest of the time and exercising my butt off should help as well.

This week will bring, booking tickets to climb the Tower of Pisa too. We need to get Euros as well. This is becoming challenging since everyone wants to rip you off on the exchange rate and charge a fee. We're still weighing all our options to figure out what's the most economical way. We need at leave 2,300 EUR so we're not talking chump change. Right now it's still between actual cash and the AAA debit card. We checked out Travelex because we were in the mall last night and they want 1.46.... The actual rate is 1.29...so now I'm thinking the AAA debit card may be cheaper even with ATM fees. I can't afford to pay $400 extra for Euro's. DH isn't working and this trip is stretching the budget as it it. I'll let you know what we decide. More research will be done today.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

So we've been relatively quiet of late.. but we actually are leaving 3 weeks from yesterday, Kim is leaving home the day before. Funny part is that her final flight to Europe leaves NYC, I hour before my flight leaves from Philly. Funny how things work out.

So much done and so much still to do. This week should bring printing a couple of magnets, printing pirate T shirts from a design I had my favorite designer create, and then going through clothes. This will be particularly painful for me since I never lost the 20lbs I said I needed to ...I really tried...this past week was a disaster...had a work seminar for 3 days, went to NYC, and had my 15th wedding anniversary. Guess it's water and diet food for the rest of the time and exercising my butt off should help as well.

This week will bring, booking tickets to climb the Tower of Pisa too. We need to get Euros as well. This is becoming challenging since everyone wants to rip you off on the exchange rate and charge a fee. We're still weighing all our options to figure out what's the most economical way. We need at leave 2,300 EUR so we're not talking chump change. Right now it's still between actual cash and the AAA debit card. We checked out Travelex because we were in the mall last night and they want 1.46.... The actual rate is 1.29...so now I'm thinking the AAA debit card may be cheaper even with ATM fees. I can't afford to pay $400 extra for Euro's. DH isn't working and this trip is stretching the budget as it it. I'll let you know what we decide. More research will be done today.

On the Euros. Is this for an apartment? Do you have to have it all at once?

Generally your BEST rate (which is close to that 1.29 you see) is an ATM. I have NEVER had a bank in Europe charge me an ATM fee so what you need to find out is what your bank charges. The AAA card had some other extra fees that would add up from what I recall. Plus the foreign conversion fee is around 3%. With my bank my foreign conversion fee is 1%. With that much money it can add up quickly.

As for actual cash... What happens if you loose 2,300 Euros? (I can tell you it would not be a good moment in my life! ) I say this as the person who dealt with the loss of $10,000 in Travelers Checks. And they were lost basically at the arrival airport! (At least they were traveler's checks and I actually wasn't the guilty party who lost them ) It's very risky to travel with that kind of money and I have read other stories of loss/theft at the airport. I think it's because you are exhausted, disoriented etc... and you either get confused or are just an "easy mark"

 

[abayaflowers]

On the Euros. Is this for an apartment? Do you have to have it all at once?

Generally your BEST rate (which is close to that 1.29 you see) is an ATM. I have NEVER had a bank in Europe charge me an ATM fee so what you need to find out is what your bank charges. The AAA card had some other extra fees that would add up from what I recall. Plus the foreign conversion fee is around 3%. With my bank my foreign conversion fee is 1%. With that much money it can add up quickly.

As for actual cash... What happens if you loose 2,300 Euros? (I can tell you it would not be a good moment in my life! ) I say this as the person who dealt with the loss of $10,000 in Travelers Checks. And they were lost basically at the arrival airport! (At least they were traveler's checks and I actually wasn't the guilty party who lost them ) It's very risky to travel with that kind of money and I have read other stories of loss/theft at the airport. I think it's because you are exhausted, disoriented etc... and you either get confused or are just an "easy mark"

I agree ... carrying around 2300,00 Euros would be nerve-racking. Once, you land in Barcelona (which I am assuming is where you land), one becomes disoriented because of jet lag, time-change, different city, language, etc. We were told by our bank to just use the ATM. Less charges and less likely to be a victim of a crime.

If you are renting an apt., you can also ask if you can pay the rental and deposit in credit card.

From my perspective and personal experience, if you give cash for a deposit, how do you know if you get the same amt. back. They can say that you never put a deposit down or paid.

So, it's better safe than regretful.

Otherwise, you will have fun in Europe!

 

[mindelmouse]

I've done some more research and I think using my credit union atm card may be the best way to go. Can take out $1,000 Usd equivalent per day. 1.50 per withdrawal (atm fee) and 1% transaction fee. Anyone see drawbacks to this?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I've done some more research and I think using my credit union atm card may be the best way to go. Can take out $1,000 Usd equivalent per day. 1.50 per withdrawal (atm fee) and 1% transaction fee. Anyone see drawbacks to this?

I would go this way, but one warning on the $1,000 a day. Sometimes the ATM machines won't give you that much in one transaction. It's just their internal limit, not your bank

 

[mindelmouse]

I would go this way, but one warning on the $1,000 a day. Sometimes the ATM machines won't give you that much in one transaction. It's just their internal limit, not your bank

That's fine. Don't really need that much.

 

[ldo]

we usually take about 200-300 euros with us and then use ATMs. I believe that many ATMs will only give 300 euros per day.

 

[mindelmouse]

we usually take about 200-300 euros with us and then use ATMs. I believe that many ATMs will only give 300 euros per day.

that's good to know...if your bank allows you to take up to $1000 USD per day, can you use multiple ATM's to get to that amount?

 

[abayaflowers]

I am sure most of you are aware, but if you are not, please remember to tell your credit card company and financial institutions/bank that you are traveling to Europe. They might need a verbal or written authorization of where you are traveling.

I just did this today and it took approximately 45 mins. to complete the paperwork and do the verbal authorization of which countries I am traveling. Also, they gave me a specific list of all the banks in all the cities/countries that we are visiting.

When we were in Rome, we encountered another American family who couldn't pay for their purchased items, because their cards wouldn't work. It was sad to overhear, because you could tell that NONE of their cards worked. The "mom" appeared irate with the "dad".

 

[mindelmouse]

Ok...19 more days until we leave...

I just can't believe it's so soon. Got a lot done yesterday...kids should have all the clothes they need, made shirts for pirate party, got iphones that will work in Europe..(Here's hoping that work pays for mine). Finished magnets, loaded reward cards, picked up travel sized toiletries.....Just have to pick up some Euros and pack (I think)

I have this nagging feeling I'm forgetting something....

 

[lgajohnson]

What did you do to get your iphones to work in Europe? I am debating on what to do for our Med cruise. Thanks...I love following along your PTR!!

 

[mindelmouse]

What did you do to get your iphones to work in Europe? I am debating on what to do for our Med cruise. Thanks...I love following along your PTR!!

I had an iphone 4 which will not work in Europe (i have verizon btw). I upgraded to iphone5 and they said all I have to do is stop in or call the day before I leave and the day after I get back and they could put the Europe service on and off and I'll only have to pay for it during the two weeks I have it.

I believe, from what others tell me that the at&t phones can be "unlocked" and the sim card changed out. Kim can speak to that. Because she has direct knowledge.